EU urged Turkey to comply with the European sanctions against Russia

As a candidate for membership in the European Union, Turkey should comply with the bloc’s sanctions against Russia, EU’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said.

"Turkey's policy of not participating in EU’s restrictive measures against Russia is a matter of growing concern," Borrell said in a letter to the EU Parliament, Deutsche Welle Turkish reported, citing German media group Funke on Sunday.

Borrell also underlined Europe’s discomfort over the deepening economic ties between Turkey and Russia amid Ukraine war.

NATO member Turkey who has forged close relations with Russia in recent years, rejected to comply with the Western sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war. Despite condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ankara increased cooperation with Russia on trade and energy.

Reminding EU’s customs union agreement with Turkey, Borrell said the deal ensures the free movement of goods with dual use, both for civil and military purposes. This could help Russia to circumvent Western sanctions, according to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

Borrell warned Turkey not to offer temporary solutions to Russia.