Fellow at the Center for a New American Security Nicholas Heras: Turkey seeks to undermine the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria by supporting Russia

ANKARA — The Financial Times reported the increase of Turkey’s exports to Russia, including goods for the Russian Army in its war on Ukraine.

Nicholas Heras, a Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), stated that Turkey benefits from exporting goods to Russia during the Ukraine war, by applying more pressure and policies aimed at forcing the U.S. to leave Syria, in order to undermine the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria.

In comments to North Press, Heras stated that Turkish President Erdogan is very concerned. He wants to appear as a strong leader capable of managing Turkish economy. He wants to get rid of U.S. pressures, and sanctions are the U.S. means that can change Erdogan behavior towards the Autonomous Administration.

“Turkey has been exporting about 45 goods to Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine, despite export controls set by the U.S., the European Union, Britain and Japan to prevent their access to Russia,” the newspaper reported.

Heras warned of the negative role played by Turkey through its support for Russia.

“The only effective tool that the Biden Administration has to stop Turkish support for Russia is imposing sanctions, concluded Heras.