Turkey bought coal from Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine – Reuters

This year, coal mined in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine was exported to Turkey, a NATO member.

This was reported by Reuters.

According to Russian customs, between February and July 2023, about 160 thousand tons of coal from the occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions arrived in Turkey. Three producers listed in the customs data confirmed to Reuters that they supplied coal from the two regions to Turkey during this period.

Unlike the United States and the European Union, Turkey has not restricted trade with Russia or the territories of Ukraine controlled by Moscow.

Since Moscow launched its invasion in February 2022, Turkey, a NATO member who has supported Kyiv's efforts to repel Russia, has repeatedly stated that it recognizes Ukraine's territorial integrity. Ankara played a key role in brokering a deal between the warring countries that allowed Ukrainian grain exports across the Black Sea.

Data from a commercial trade data provider obtained by Reuters showed that coal from at least 10 producers entered Turkey between February and July. According to the statistics, Turkey was the largest export destination for coal from the occupied regions, accounting for 95% of shipments during this period.

It should be noted that US sanctions imposed on February 21, 2022, three days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, prohibit US imports or exports from the so-called "DPR" and "LPR". Two days later, the European Union announced measures including a ban on imports from the two regions.

Turkey has no such restrictions. The United States has imposed sanctions on companies, including those from Turkey, that it says support Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 19/09/2023