EU investigates russian oil imports via Turkey circumventing sanctions

The European Union Anti-Fraud Office is investigating the supply of russian oil products to the EU bypassing sanctions through Turkey.

In the year since the embargo on russian oil products was introduced on February 5, 2023, EU countries have imported 5.2 million tons worth more than €3 billion from three Turkish ports: Ceyhan, Marmara Ereğlisi, and Mersin, despite the fact that these ports have no refining capacity.

Russia took advantage of a loophole in EU sanctions rules that allow the purchase of products made from russian oil in case of significant processing (blending) and established supplies through Turkish ports.

Between February 2023 and the end of February 2024, Turkey imported russian oil products worth €17.6 billion, 105% more than in the previous year. 

At the same time, Turkish fuel exports to the EU increased by 107%. Russia earned 5.4 billion euros from the supply of oil products to Turkey, which allowed Moscow to “continue its full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” the report says.

The investigation comes amid deteriorating relations between Brussels and Ankara over its russian policy - even as Turkey takes small steps to join Western sanctions.

Source: Politico