State Department: No One Should Have Become Safe Haven For Illicit Russian Assets Or Transactions

The United States said on Wednesday it has urged Turkey and all the allies and partners against becoming a safe haven for illicit Russian assets or transactions and "we will continue to make that case," a State Department spokesman told a daily press briefing.

When asked by TURAN's Washington correspondent for reaction on the Turkish-Russian agreement to create a gas hub in Turkey, principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel reminded that Turkey is a longstanding and valued NATO Ally that has, over the course of the conflict since February, expressed strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s aggression.

"We have worked closely with our allies and partners to impose severe and unprecedented costs on Russia, including through sanctions, export controls, visa restrictions. We have urged Turkey and all of our allies and partners that no one should have become a safe haven for illicit Russian assets or transactions, and we will continue to make that case," Patel said.

He went on to add, "as it relates to the energy conversation, we have continued to urge our allies to take steps to diversify their energy sources, to reduce energy reliance on Russia. And in the case of Turkey, we are working with them closely to assist in their own efforts to enhance energy security in the long term."

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that he reached an agreement with Russia's Vladimir Putin to create a gas hub in Turkey to supply Russian gas to Europe.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.