Abramovich yacht moors in Turkey

A yacht belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has docked in southwestern Turkey, a country that does not apply Western sanctions against Russian oligarchs, including the owner of the Chelsea football team.

The Solaris, a 140-meter-long luxury ship flying the Bermuda flag, was spotted Monday in the very touristy Bodrum (Bodrum), a week after departing from a non-EU port of Montenegro.

Western countries, led by the United States and the European Union, have imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Many oligarchs, including Mr. Abramovich, and people of Russian President Vladimir Putin are on the list of retaliatory figures.

But Turkey, a NATO member with ties to both Moscow and Kyiv, is not taking part in sanctions against Russia.

Several countries have seized yachts belonging to some of the richest Russians, and US President Joe Biden has said the United States and its allies will take away “the luxury goods they have acquired through crime,” as he put it.

Last week, the EU adopted new sanctions against Russia, and the list included Mr Abramovich’s name, among others.

The oligarch, who owns an even larger yacht, the 162-meter-long Eclipse, is also hit in the UK by a freeze on resources and a travel ban.

Turkey has called the Russian invasion of Ukraine “unacceptable”, but generally maintains open channels with Russia and attempts to play a mediating role.

SOURCE: AMPE

Source: Capital

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