The Kremlin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, responded to reports that Turkey and the United States reached an understanding to inform Ankara before any sanctions are imposed on Turkish firms connected to Russian entities. He declined to comment, emphasizing that this is a matter between Turkey and the United States. The Kremlin spokesperson framed the issue as part of broader Turkish-American relations and dismissed the sanctions as illegal while noting that Moscow is striving to strengthen ties with Turkey.
Hürriyet reported that Ankara and Washington have agreed on a protocol in which the American side would first notify Turkey and seek information before targeting Turkish businesses suspected of violating anti-Russian sanctions. The implication is that Turkish authorities could be alerted in advance and perhaps have an opportunity to respond before any punitive measures take effect.
The reported approach shifts a portion of the risk away from Turkish firms by creating a preliminary line of communication with Turkish officials prior to sanctions. Observers in Turkey have suggested that this arrangement could help Turkish companies better understand the scope of U.S. enforcement and adjust their operations accordingly, while still continuing business with Russian partners under existing restrictions.
Volkan Demir, deputy chairman of the Republican People’s Party, Turkey’s largest opposition bloc, commented at the start of March in an interview with Aydınlık. He warned that sustained commercial engagement with Russia amid heavy U.S. sanction pressure could pose serious challenges for Ankara. The remarks underscore a broader debate in Turkey about balancing economic ties with Moscow against pressure from Western allies and the potential impact on domestic industries.
Earlier this year the United States expanded its list of measures targeting Russia, intensifying financial and trade restrictions in an effort to curb what Washington describes as aggressive Moscow policies. Turkish officials have repeatedly stated their intention to uphold their own economic interests while adhering to international sanctions regimes, a stance that complicates how Ankara navigates the sanctions landscape while maintaining strategic regional partnerships.