Russian oligarch Abramovich takes yachts to Turkey, where there are no sanctions

Two yachts belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, 55, docked in southwestern Turkey, a country that has not adhered to Western sanctions imposed on Russia by much of the international community after the invasion of Ukraine, reports the Turkish press.

The “Eclipse”, a 163-meter-long yacht flying the Bermuda flag, docked early Tuesday morning at the port of Marmaris, Turkish newspapers highlighted, citing websites that monitor maritime traffic.

The “Eclipse” is the second largest yacht in the world and arrived in Turkey after the 140-metre-long “Solaris”, also owned by Abramovich, which was filmed in Bodrum, a tourist destination, more than a week after being seen in a port of Montenegro, which is not part of the EU (European Union).

A group of Ukrainians approached the “Solaris” in an inflatable raft to protest: “You are not welcome here”, “No to war in Ukraine”, “Go away Russian boat”, protesters shouted.

Western countries, including the United States and EU members, have adopted unprecedented sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. Oligarchs and people close to Putin are on the affected list.

Turkey, a NATO member with ties to both Russia and Ukraine, has not joined in imposing sanctions on Moscow.

Yachts belonging to Russian billionaires have already been seized in several countries.

Last week, the EU adopted new sanctions against Russia and one of those affected was Abramovich, owner of English football club Chelsea. He has also been hit by measures in the UK, where his assets have been frozen, and is banned from travel.

Already imagining the sanctions, Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale, but the transaction was frozen by the sanctions.

The oligarch’s fortune is valued at 9.4 billion pounds sterling (10.7 billion euros, US$11.76 billion, R$58.4 billion) by the British government.

Turkey called the Russian invasion “unacceptable” and offered to mediate to seek an end to the conflict.