JPMorgan blocked $2 billion from Russia — WSJ

Due to the fact that Gazprombank was sanctioned by the United States, the American bank JPMorgan froze the transfer of $ 2 billion to Turkey. It is reported by The Wall Street Journal.

These 2 billion dollars were intended to pay for the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Turkey, Akkuyu, which is being built under the Rosatom project, the newspaper writes.

"According to the American authorities, Moscow and Ankara have agreed that Gazprombank will provide a loan of about $ 9 billion for the construction of a nuclear power plant. The administration of the then US President Joe Biden initially expected to confiscate Russian money, the newspaper writes, but in the end only blocked them so as not to "anger" them Turkey. Washington feared that their withdrawal could undermine cooperation with Ankara in all areas — from the exchange of prisoners and the fight against terrorism to stabilizing the situation in Syria and ending the war in the Gaza Strip," the DW* Main telegram channel writes.

It is noted that the Turkish Ministry of Energy refused to comment on the situation. A representative of Rosatom, in turn, explained to WSJ that all funds allocated for the construction of the Turkish NPP were used to finance the project and pay contractors, as well as for other social and financial obligations in Turkey.

"As for the funds that were unfairly withheld under the influence of third parties, we expect that the issue will be resolved," she added.

As reported by EADaily, the United States granted exceptions to Turkey and Hungary for payments for Russian gas through Gazprombank, which is a key link in such transactions. Obviously, the other countries that applied also received permits. On December 20, US restrictions on the Russian bank began to take effect. This was reported by Bloomberg.

*An organization performing the functions of a foreign agent