Russia was once again able to bypass EU sanctions

As the journalists managed to find out, a large-scale investigation is being conducted by the European Union Anti-Fraud Office.

According to the latest data, during the year after the announcement of the embargo on the supply of Russian oil products on February 5, 2023, the members of the European Union purchased 5.2 million tons worth more than 3 billion euros from three Turkish ports: Ceyhan, Marmara Ereglisi and Mersin.

It is important to understand that there are no processing facilities in the specified ports.

Turkey continues to cover for Russia

Journalists draw attention to the fact that from February 2023 to the end of February 2024, Turkey imported 17.6 billion euros worth of Russian oil products.

It is important to understand that this is as much as 105% more than in the previous similar period.

At the same time, Turkish fuel exports to the EU increased by 107%. The Russian Federation earned 5.4 billion euros from the supply of oil products to Turkey, which enabled Moscow to continue its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the publication writes.

In addition, it is emphasized that the investigation is being conducted against the background of worsening relations between Brussels and Ankara due to its pro-Russian position.

It is worth noting that in 2023, Russia received another 1 billion euros through a separate loophole in EU sanctions in Bulgaria.