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Second Abramovich superyacht docks in sanctions-free Turkey

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• Two yachts are docked in resorts in southwest Turkey
• Turkey says it opposes sanctions imposed by Western allies
• Sources say Abramovich, other Russian investments expected

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Additional reporting by Yesim Dikmen in Istanbul, Ece Toksabay and Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer, Frank Jack Daniel and Alison Williams

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Russian oligarch stashes second yacht in Turkey, apparently to beat Ukraine-linked sanctions

March 22, 2022 / 7:55 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Ankara, Turkey — A second superyacht belonging to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has docked in a resort in southwestern Turkey - a country that's not applying sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine , Turkish media reports said Tuesday.

The private DHA news agency said the Bermuda-registered Eclipse docked at a port in the resort of Marmaris amid international efforts to freeze assets belonging to top Russian businessmen linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A day earlier, Abramovich's Bermuda-flagged luxury yacht My Solaris arrived in the nearby resort of Bodrum, triggering a protest by a group of Ukrainians who boarded a small motor boat and tried to prevent the yacht from docking.

Last week, the European Union updated a list of individuals facing asset freezes and travel bans over their ties to the Kremlin and began imposing sanctions on Abramovich. The 55-year-old had already been punished in Britain.

NATO-member Turkey has close ties to both Russia and Ukraine. It has criticized Moscow's invasion of Ukraine but has also positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate between the two.

Abramovich announced earlier this month that he's selling the Chelsea club. Abramovich said the sale won't "be fast-tracked but will follow due process" and that the net proceeds will go to victims in Ukraine.

"This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club," he said. 

Forbes has valued Abramovich's net worth  at $12.4 billion  while Chelsea was worth an  estimated $3.2 billion  in 2021. The 55-year-old, who was once Russia's richest man, said he will set up a foundation to which net proceeds from the sale will be donated.

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Chelsea owner Abramovich’s second yacht also docks in Turkey

A view of Eclipse, a luxury yacht reported to belong to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, docked at a port in the resort of Marmaris, Turkey, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. Turkish media reports say a second superyacht belonging to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has docked in a resort in southwestern Turkey. The private DHA news agency said the Bermuda-registered Eclipse docked at a port in the resort of Marmaris on Tuesday. (IHA via AP)

Bermuda-flagged luxury yacht “Solaris” that belongs to Roman Abramovich sails near the Aegean coastal resort of Bodrum, Turkey, Monday, March 21, 2022. A yacht belonging to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has docked in Turkey’s Aegean Sea resort of Bodrum, Turkish media reports said Monday, amid international moves to freeze assets belonging to top Russian businessmen with close links to the Kremlin. (IHA via AP)

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ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A second superyacht belonging to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has docked in a resort in southwestern Turkey — a country which is not applying sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Turkish media reports said Tuesday.

The private DHA news agency said the Bermuda-registered Eclipse docked at a port in the resort of Marmaris, amid international efforts to freeze assets belonging to top Russian businessmen linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A day earlier, Abramovich’s Bermuda-flagged luxury yacht My Solaris arrived in the nearby resort of Bodrum, triggering a protest by a group of Ukrainians who boarded a small motor boat and tried to prevent the yacht from docking.

Last week, the European Union updated a list of individuals facing asset freezes and travel bans over their ties to the Kremlin and began imposing sanctions on Abramovich. The 55-year-old had already been punished in Britain.

NATO-member Turkey has close ties to both Russia and Ukraine. It has criticized Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine but has also positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate between the two.

Roman Abramovich's lavish $1.2 billion yacht graces Marmaris coast

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich 's $1.2 billion yacht, which is 163.5 meters long and 23 meters wide, was spotted off the coast of Marmaris the day before yesterday.

People who saw the magnificent yacht from kilometers away raced to take photos of it.

Roman Abramovich, on the other hand, went to a hotel in Bodrum earlier.

It has been learned that the famous businessman, who stayed in his room all day, wants to buy a hotel in Bodrum.

• Roman Abramovich

A Russian oligarch's 2 superyachts worth a total of more than $1 billion have docked in Turkish ports, avoiding sanctions risks at EU harbors

• Roman Abramovich's $600 million yacht Solaris docked in Bodrum, Turkey, on Monday, per ship-tracking data.
• The oligarch's $700 million superyacht arrived Tuesday in Marmaris, Turkey, Marine Traffic shows.
• Turkey has criticized Western sanctions against Russia, but has also supported Ukraine.

Two superyachts belonging to sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich have docked in Turkey, ship-tracking data showed, following weeks of speculation over the vessels' destination amid a crackdown on oligarchs' assets.

Abramovich's $700 million luxury superyacht, Eclipse, arrived in the tourist resort of Marmaris in southwest Turkey, on Tuesday, after cruising around the Greek island of Crete, according to the tracking website Marine Traffic .

The 533-foot vessel had set sail from St. Martin in the Caribbean in late February and had been traveling for 28 days, Marine Traffic showed.

It arrived a day after Abramovich's $600 million superyacht, Solaris , docked in the port of Bodrum in southwest Turkey on Monday, per Marine Traffic data.

The yacht departed from Tivat in Montenegro on March 13, avoiding other destinations in Europe that may have left it vulnerable to EU sanctions, before arriving in Turkey.

After US, UK and EU governments announced sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs, the location and movements of their luxury assets, such as private jets and yachts, have been closely followed.

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Governments have seized some vessels at European ports in recent weeks, as governments implement measures designed to pressure the Russian elite and President Vladimir Putin over Moscow's decision to invade Ukraine. 

Bodrum has been popular with Russia's wealthy in the past, but the country's ports may also have been chosen due to Turkey's stance on Moscow's decision to invade Ukraine, which potentially leaves oligarchs' assets at less risk of being impounded.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized sanctions levied against Russia, while at the same time supporting Ukraine.

Abramovich was sanctioned by the EU on March 15, meaning his assets have been frozen and he's been barred from doing business there.

The Chelsea Football Club owner's private jet flew into Istanbul last week, according to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 . Abramovich was spotted in a VIP lounge at an Israeli airport on March 14 before the jet landed in Istanbul on the same day, Reuters first reported. It then flew back to Moscow on Wednesday, FlightRadar24 showed.

Solaris had been docked in the Barcelona shipyard of the Spanish yacht-maintenance firm MB92 since late 2021. It left Spain on March 8, two days before Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK, and sailed to Tivat in Montenegro on March 12.

NATO member Turkey, which has good relations with both Russia and Ukraine , doesn't want to fall out with Moscow because of its strategic interests — but it also needs to support Ukraine and its NATO allies over any threat to European security.

"We believe that the sanctions will not resolve the problem," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last week at a diplomatic forum in Antalya on Sunday, cited by Russian state-owned news agency TASS.

Reuters reported that Erdogan has described the West as a "hindrance" in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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Roman Abramovich’s superyacht Eclipse arrived in the port of Marmaris this week, epitomising in its 163-metre hull western concerns about Turkish reluctance to sign up to sweeping sanctions against Russia.

At a time when European governments have begun seizing yachts belonging to sanctioned oligarchs, the billionaire Chelsea Football Club owner appeared to view Turkey as a haven for Eclipse. Another of his vessels, the 140-metre Solaris, arrived in Bodrum on Monday.

Selim Kuneralp, a former Turkish diplomat, urged his country to be careful about welcoming these vessels, writing in the online outlet Serbestiyet: “These superyachts could become a headache for our government.”

Turkey, a Nato member that has also forged close ties with Moscow in recent years, has won praise from western leaders for its condemnation of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and for supplying armed drones to Kyiv. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also carved out a role as an intermediary between Putin and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Yet there is concern in European capitals that Turkey, and other countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Israel, could unwittingly or deliberately become a hub for Russian money, or for those seeking to bypass the sanctions imposed by western powers on Moscow. This could further strain ties between Ankara and the west. “It’s something we are watching closely,” said one European diplomat.

Ankara has sought to maintain what it calls its “friendship” with both Russia and Ukraine, and has said repeatedly that it will not sign up to sanctions. Turkish officials argue that they will not work. Turkey’s allies have so far been forgiving of that stance, and have been ultra-cautious about criticising Ankara in public.

“The Europeans understand that Turkey has interdependencies with Russia,” said Ilke Toygur, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. “It’s in a strategically difficult position, and it has a fragile economy and so it cannot get on board with sanctions. This could, at least for now, give a free pass to Turkey when it comes to sanctions.” 

Toygur warned, however, that the pressure on Ankara could grow “if the war goes on longer, if the sanctions get harsher”.

Turkey has not traditionally been an investment destination for Russia’s oligarchs. But Abramovich’s private jet has repeatedly flown in and out of the country over the past month, according to airport tracking sites. Reuters news agency reported this week that the Russian tycoon wanted to invest in Turkey, citing an unnamed source in Ankara with knowledge of conversations with the billionaire.

For those without private jets, Turkey was one of the few remaining escape routes from Russia as most of Europe closed its airspace to Russian commercial flights in the wake of the invasion. Turkish carriers not only continued operating but also increased capacity to and from Russia by 12 per cent two weeks after the invasion, according to data from the travel analytics company ForwardKeys. That irked some European officials. “They see the crisis as an opportunity to make money,” complained one.

One EU official voiced concern that Turkey’s connections to Russia, and its membership of the EU customs union, could make it “very tempting” for some European companies to circumvent EU sanctions through legally affiliated subsidiaries in Turkey in the months ahead.

Another challenge for western leaders is the risk that Turkish businesses could rush to fill gaps in the Russian market after western brands, from Ikea to McDonald's, have pulled out. The crisis represented a big opportunity “not only for the [Turkish] textile industry but also for other sectors”, said Hikmet Tanriverdi, who represents the textile industry on the board of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.

Tanriverdi said that the largest issue remained payment, given the difficulties for Russian companies in obtaining dollars and euros. He echoed calls from other business figures for local currency trade that would bypass the dollar, and floated the idea of barter trade between the Russian and Turkish central banks that would essentially see Turkey swap exports of products and services for its annual imports of Russian gas.

Such orchestrated efforts to reset trading arrangements would risk drawing “punishment” from the US and Europe, said Dimitar Bechev, a visiting scholar at the think-tank Carnegie Europe.

A chief executive at a large Turkish food producer said that most large businesses would not want to risk falling foul of sanctions. “There will not be a blind jump into the Russian market at the cost of relations with the US or Europe,” the executive said.

Bechev said the case of Halkbank — a Turkish public lender that New York prosecutors have accused of being part of a multibillion-dollar, government-backed scheme to bypass US sanctions on Iran — had scarred western officials. “In the back of their minds [will be the idea that], even if Erdogan eventually signs up to sanctions, he won’t be sincere and Turkey will be trying to trade with Russia and find loopholes or back doors.”

Additional reporting by Valentina Pop in Brussels and Sylvia Pfeifer and Philip Georgiadis in London

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Second Roman Abramovich superyacht now heading for Turkey

The vessel 'eclipse' was spotted near marmaris a day after chelsea fc owner's yacht docked in bodrum.

Two superyachts linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich were spotted on the Turkish coast on Tuesday, 'Eclipse' and 'My Solaris'. Mr Abramovich is among several wealthy Russians added to an EU blacklist as governments act to seize their yachts and other luxury assets. AP

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A second superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was spotted approaching the Turkish coast on Tuesday.

Ship tracking data showed the vessel heading towards the tourist resort of Marmaris a day after a yacht linked to the Chelsea FC owner docked in Bodrum in the country's south-west.

The yacht Eclipse was heading in the direction of Marmaris, about three kilometres from the port after cruising south-east of the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes, data compiled by monitoring site Marine Traffic, seen by Reuters, showed.

The data also showed the superyacht Solaris remained moored in Bodrum, some 80km away, having skirted the waters of EU countries that have sanctioned the oligarch over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

There was no indication that Abramovich was on board either of the vessels. He was among several wealthy Russians added last week to an EU blacklist as governments have acted in recent days to seize yachts and other luxury assets from them.

World governments are seeking to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Russia's invasion of Ukraine , which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation".

Last week, Mr Abramovich flew into Moscow after leaving Istanbul in his private jet. According to flight-tracking data it was a second trip by a jet linked to Mr Abramovich between the Turkish city and the Russian capital in three days.

A representative for Mr Abramovich did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

The 140-metre Solaris docked in Bodrum on Monday afternoon, slightly more than a week after it left Montenegro's Adriatic resort town of Tivat on March 13.

Since then the vessel, which sails under a Bermuda flag according Marine Traffic, had tracked south and rounded the Greek island of Crete in recent days before reaching Turkish waters on Monday morning.

Also on Monday, a luxurious superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Dmitrievich Pumpyansky was detained by authorities after docking in Gibraltar.

Chelsea's Roman Abramovich and other Russians have assets frozen after UK sanctions

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Second superyacht linked to russian oligarch abramovich off turkey - shipping data.

ISTANBUL, March 22 (Reuters) - A superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was nearing the Turkish tourist resort of Marmaris on Tuesday, ship tracking data showed, a day after another yacht linked to him docked in the resort of Bodrum, also in southwest Turkey.

The yacht Eclipse was heading in the direction of Marmaris, about 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) from its port after cruising southeast of the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes, according to Marine Traffic data.

The data also showed the superyacht Solaris remained moored in Bodrum, some 80 km (50 miles) away, having skirted the waters of European Union countries which have sanctioned the oligarch over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

There was no indication that Abramovich was aboard either of the vessels. He was among several wealthy Russians added last week to a European Union blacklist, and EU governments have acted in recent days to seize yachts and other luxury assets from them.

World governments are seeking to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a "special military operation".

Last week, Abramovich flew into Moscow after leaving Istanbul in his private jet. According to flight-tracking data it was a second trip by a jet linked to Abramovich between the Turkish city and the Russian capital in three days.

A spokesperson for Abramovich didn't immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

The 140-metre (460-foot) yacht Solaris docked in Bodrum on Monday afternoon, just over a week after it left Montenegro's Adriatic resort town of Tivat on March 13.

Since then the vessel, which sails under a Bermuda flag according to monitoring site Marine Traffic, had tracked south and rounded the Greek island of Crete in recent days before reaching Turkish waters on Monday morning. (Reporting by Daren Butler; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)

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Second Abramovich superyacht docks in sanctions-free Turkey

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

SUPERYACHT. Eclipse, a superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, is docked in Marmaris, Turkey, March 22, 2022.

Yoruk Isik/Reuters

MARMARIS, Turkey – A second superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich docked in a Turkish resort on Tuesday, March 22, and sources familiar with the discussions said he and other wealthy Russians were looking to invest in Turkey given sanctions elsewhere.

Western governments have targeted Abramovich and several other Russian oligarchs with sanctions as they seek to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine .

While strongly criticizing the invasion, Turkey has said it opposes sanctions imposed by its NATO allies on principle. That could set it up as a possible safe haven for Russians seeking to make investments and preserve assets.

Eclipse, which is one of the world’s biggest yachts at 162.5 meters (533 feet), docked in the resort of Marmaris in southwest Turkey after skirting Greek islands, according to a Reuters witness and tracking data. It sails under a Bermuda flag.

The vessel is reported to have two helipads, nine decks, a swimming pool, and built-in missile defenses.

Solaris , another superyacht linked to Abramovich, arrived a day earlier in the resort of Bodrum some 80 kilometers (50 miles) away, after having also avoided the waters of European Union countries that have sanctioned the oligarchs.

They are among a string of yachts owned by Abramovich, according to reports in luxury goods publications SuperYachtFan, SuperYacht, and Forbes.

Abramovich, the owner of English football club Chelsea , was in Istanbul briefly last week , according to flight tracking data and people familiar with the travels. There was no indication he was aboard either yacht.

A source in Ankara with knowledge of recent conversations with Abramovich said he and other wealthy Russians were looking to invest in Turkey given the sanctions imposed elsewhere.

“He wants to do some work and may buy some assets,” the source said, adding that the oligarch already had some assets in Turkey. The source did not give details.

Another source in Ankara said Turkey was not currently considering joining sanctions action and expected wealthy Russians to purchase assets and make investments.

“We act sensitively on issues such as bringing the oligarchs’ money to Turkey,” the person said.

A spokesperson for Abramovich did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The foreign and interior ministries did not immediately comment on whether Western governments had requested that Turkey seize sanctioned assets. Last week, the banking regulator told Reuters it was monitoring sanctions applied on Russia but had not instructed banks to limit citizens of any country.

Boat protesters

A small group of people on a motor boat protested in front of Solaris as it docked, holding Ukrainian flags emblazoned with the words “no war,” footage shared by the expat association Ukrainians in Bodrum showed.

With the arrival of Eclipse and Solaris, Abramovich has for now stationed upwards of $1.2 billion of his fortune in Turkey, with each vessel estimated to be worth $600 million or more. Russian-linked yachts are stuck in several countries including Italy , Spain , and Germany.

Sanctions are delicate for Turkey, which has close trade and diplomatic links with both Russia and Ukraine. Critics of President Tayyip Erdogan’s government have said the balancing act could leave it vulnerable internationally.

“The anchoring in Turkish marinas of yachts embargoed in European countries may leave Turkey in a difficult situation in the international arena,” Utku Cakirozer, an MP from the main opposition CHP party, told Reuters.

After meeting Erdogan in Ankara on Tuesday, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he supported Turkey’s role in maintaining dialogue with both Ukraine and Russia.

“Turkey is doing everything that it can do. It is one of the few open lines we have with both,” he told a news conference.

“We would very much favor for Turkey to implement all the sanctions but I think we also have to be happy with the fact that Turkey is playing its diplomatic role.”

Russia calls its invasion a “special military operation” aimed at disarming Ukraine and removing what it says are dangerous nationalists in government. Ukraine and Western allies say that is a false pretext for an unprovoked war.

Turkey has sought to mediate a ceasefire and peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

The 140-meter (460-foot) Solaris, which also sails under a Bermuda flag, remained moored in Bodrum on Tuesday, a week after it left Montenegro’s Adriatic resort town of Tivat. – Rappler.com

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Roman Abramovich’s superyacht leaves Turkish port run by UK-listed firm

Russian oligarch’s vessel departed after Global Ports Holding was pressed to act over UK sanctions

Roman Abramovich’s $600m (£458m) superyacht Solaris has left a port in Turkey after the London-based company that operates the terminal which had been harbouring the oligarch’s yacht was pressed to act.

Solaris, which is 140 metres long and has a helipad and swimming pool, left Bodrum Cruise Port on Monday. It is now at anchor off Yalikavak beach in south-western Turkey, according to the shipping data service Marine Traffic .

Pressure had been building for Global Ports Holding (GPH), the Mayfair-headquartered company that runs Bodrum Cruise Port, to refuse services to Solaris.

Legal experts had said the London-listed company was taking “a very big risk” by allowing a superyacht owned by a sanctioned individual to use one of its ports. The Bodrum port is one of 22 terminals run by the firm.

Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, is one of several Russian billionaires hit by UK sanctions last month as part of the government’s efforts to put pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, described the sanctioned individuals as having “the blood of the Ukrainian people on their hands”.

A spokesperson for Global Ports Holding declined to comment on why Solaris had left the port.

In a statement on Sunday, the company said it did not have “any power to accept or reject any ship or yacht” from the port but it had taken the decision to “not receive any service fee or other payments concerning the berthing of this superyacht”.

“Global Ports Holding plc notes recent press speculation regarding the berthing at Bodrum Yolcu Liman İşletmeleri AŞ (Bodrum Cruise Port), Turkey, of a superyacht, allegedly owned by a designated person subject to sanctions imposed by the UK government,” GPH said .

“As a private terminal operator in Turkey , GPH merely operates Bodrum Cruise Port as the concessionaire and is not involved in granting permission for a ship or a yacht to dock at the port. This responsibility and decision sit with the Turkish authorities, and as concessionaire, GPH must comply with such a decision as long as the decision is legal under the applicable laws.

“However, and notwithstanding the difficulties of any party to correctly identify the actual ownership of such assets, GPH has not and will not receive any service fee or other payments concerning the berthing of this superyacht at Bodrum Cruise Port.”

The company said the berthing of Solaris did not breach UK sanction laws because “the alleged offence has taken place at a port outside the United Kingdom where GPH does not have any ownership or any power to accept or reject any ship or yacht pursuant to the applicable laws”.

Solaris arrived at Bodrum Cruise Port on 22 March after hurriedly leaving a port in Barcelona , where it was undergoing repairs, as EU countries began seizing sanctioned individuals’ assets.

Ukrainian protesters tried to stop Solaris mooring at the port. Members of the Optimist Sailing Team Ukraine confronted the vessel in a small boat, chanting “No war in Ukraine” and waving the country’s flag. They were part of a junior sailing team that was in Turkey to compete in an annual competition, having left Ukraine before the invasion.

Turkey has refused to impose sanctions on Russians, despite the UK, US and EU uniting to restrict oligarchs believed to have benefited from close relationships with Putin. The Turkish foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, said the oligarchs were “of course” welcome and could do business in Turkey according to international law.

Another, even larger, superyacht owned by Abramovich is moored in Turkey. Eclipse, which at 162.5 metres is believed to be the world’s second largest superyacht, arrived at the port of Marmaris on 22 March.

Reports suggest that Abramovich owns as many as five superyachts worth more than $1bn (£762m) in total. Another yacht linked to the billionaire, Garcon, is now berthed in Antigua.

The Antiguan government has asked for the UK’s assistance to seize the vessel. Ronald Sanders, the country’s ambassador to the US, told Reuters: “We’ve said that we’re quite happy to cooperate, but under the rule of law. The only way we can [seize the vessel] is if the British, in their mutual legal assistance treaty request, establish that this is a person they want because he has committed some crime.”

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Russian oligarch Abramovich’s 2nd superyacht docks in Turkey

By agencies.

A superyacht linked to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich docked in the Turkish tourist resort of Marmaris on Tuesday, a port source said, a day after another of his yachts arrived in nearby Bodrum, also in the county's southwest.

The Eclipse, which is one of the world's biggest at 162.5 meters (533 feet) long and sails under a Bermuda flag, arrived in Marmaris after cruising southeast of the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes, according to Marine Traffic data.

The data also showed the superyacht Solaris remained moored in Bodrum , some 80 kilometers (50 miles) away, having skirted the waters of European Union countries that have sanctioned the oligarch over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

There was no indication that Abramovich was aboard either of the vessels. He was among several wealthy Russians added last week to a European Union blacklist, and EU governments have acted in recent days to seize yachts and other luxury assets from them. Abramovich had already been punished in Britain.

The Eclipse is reported to have two helipads, nine decks, a swimming pool and built-in missile defenses.

World governments are seeking to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a “special military operation.”

NATO-member Turkey has close ties to both Russia and Ukraine. It has criticized Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine but has also positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate between the two.

Turkey has closed the Turkish Straits connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea to most Russian warships but has not imposed sanctions on Russia or shut down its airspace to Russian flights.

Last week, Abramovich flew to Moscow from Istanbul in his private jet. According to flight-tracking data, it was the second trip by a jet linked to Abramovich between the Turkish city and the Russian capital in three days.

The 140-meter yacht Solaris, which also sails under a Bermuda flag, according to Marine Traffic, docked in Bodrum on Monday afternoon, just over a week after it left Montenegro's Adriatic resort town of Tivat on March 13.

A group of Ukrainians carrying Ukrainian flags with the words “No War” emblazoned on them boarded a small motorboat and tried to prevent the yacht from docking, the media reported.

Both the Eclipse and the Solaris were built in German shipyards. They are among a string of yachts owned by Abramovich, according to reports in luxury goods publications SuperYachtFan, SuperYacht and Forbes.

Several groups have been confirmed as bidders to buy English soccer club Chelsea from Abramovich, who was also hit by British government sanctions after Russia's invasion.

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A second superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich docked in a Turkish resort on Tuesday, and sources familiar with the discussions said he and other wealthy Russians were looking to invest in Turkey given sanctions elsewhere.

Western governments have targeted Abramovich and several other Russian oligarchs with sanctions as they seek to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

While strongly criticizing the invasion, Turkey has said it opposes sanctions imposed by its NATO allies on principle.

That could set it up as a possible safe haven for Russians seeking to make investments and preserve assets.

Eclipse, which is one of the world’s biggest yachts at 162.5 meters (533 feet), docked in the resort of Marmaris in southwest Turkey after skirting Greek islands, according to a Reuters witness and tracking data. It sails under a Bermuda flag.

The vessel is reported to have two helipads, nine decks, a swimming pool and built-in missile defenses.

Solaris, another superyacht linked to Abramovich, arrived a day earlier in the resort of Bodrum some 80 km (50 miles) away, after having also avoided the waters of European Union countries that have sanctioned the oligarchs.

They are among a string of yachts owned by Abramovich, according to reports in luxury goods publications SuperYachtFan, SuperYacht and Forbes.

Abramovich, the owner of English football club Chelsea , was in Istanbul briefly last week, according to flight tracking data and people familiar with the travels. There was no indication he was aboard either yacht.

A source in Ankara with knowledge of recent conversations with Abramovich said he and other wealthy Russians were looking to invest in Turkey given the sanctions imposed elsewhere.

“He wants to do some work and may buy some assets,” the source said, adding that the oligarch already had some assets in Turkey. The source did not give details.

Another source in Ankara said Turkey was not currently considering joining sanctions action and expected wealthy Russians to purchases assets and make investments.

“We act sensitively on issues such as bringing the oligarchs’ money to Turkey,” the person said.

A spokesperson for Abramovich did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The foreign and interior ministries did not immediately comment on whether Western governments had requested that Turkey seize sanctioned assets. Last week, the banking regulator told Reuters it was monitoring sanctions applied on Russia but had not instructed banks to limit citizens of any country.

Boat protesters

A small group of people on a motor boat protested in front of Solaris as it docked, holding Ukrainian flags emblazoned with the words “no war,” footage shared by the expat association “Ukrainians in Bodrum” showed.

With the arrival of Eclipse and Solaris, Abramovich has for now stationed upwards of $1.2 billion of his fortune in Turkey, with each vessel estimated to be worth $600 million or more. Russian-linked yachts are stuck in several countries including Italy, Spain and Germany.

Sanctions are delicate for Turkey, which has close trade and diplomatic links with both Russia and Ukraine. Critics of President Tayyip Erdogan’s government have said the balancing act could leave it vulnerable internationally.

“The anchoring in Turkish marinas of yachts embargoed in European countries may leave Turkey in a difficult situation in the international arena,” Utku Cakirozer, an MP from the main opposition CHP party, told Reuters.

After meeting Erdogan in Ankara on Tuesday, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he supported Turkey’s role in maintaining dialogue with both Ukraine and Russia.

“Turkey is doing everything that it can do. It is one of the few open lines we have with both,” he told a news conference.

“We would very much favor for Turkey to implement all the sanctions but I think we also have to be happy with the fact that Turkey is playing its diplomatic role.”

Russia calls its invasion a “special military operation” aimed at disarming Ukraine and removing what it says are dangerous nationalists in government. Ukraine and Western allies say that is a false pretext for an unprovoked war.

Turkey has sought to mediate a ceasefire and peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

The 140-meter (460-foot) Solaris, which also sails under a Bermuda flag, remained moored in Bodrum on Tuesday, a week after it left Montenegro’s Adriatic resort town of Tivat.

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Chelsea owner Abramovich's second yacht also docks in Turkey

Turkish media reports say a second superyacht belonging to chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned russian oligarch roman abramovich has docked in a resort in southwestern turkey, article bookmarked.

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A second superyacht belonging to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has docked in a resort in southwestern Turkey — a country which is not applying sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine , Turkish media reports said Tuesday.

The private DHA news agency said the Bermuda-registered Eclipse docked at a port in the resort of Marmaris, amid international efforts to freeze assets belonging to top Russian businessmen linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin .

A day earlier, Abramovich’s Bermuda-flagged luxury yacht My Solaris arrived in the nearby resort of Bodrum, triggering a protest by a group of Ukrainians who boarded a small motor boat and tried to prevent the yacht from docking.

Last week, the European Union updated a list of individuals facing asset freezes and travel bans over their ties to the Kremlin and began imposing sanctions on Abramovich. The 55-year-old had already been punished in Britain.

NATO-member Turkey has close ties to both Russia and Ukraine. It has criticized Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine but has also positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate between the two.

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Chelsea owner Abramovich’s second yacht also docks in Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A second superyacht belonging to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has docked in a resort in southwestern Turkey — a country which is not applying sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Turkish media reports said Tuesday.

The private DHA news agency said the Bermuda-registered Eclipse docked at a port in the resort of Marmaris, amid international efforts to freeze assets belonging to top Russian businessmen linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A day earlier, Abramovich’s Bermuda-flagged luxury yacht My Solaris arrived in the nearby resort of Bodrum, triggering a protest by a group of Ukrainians who boarded a small motor boat and tried to prevent the yacht from docking.

Last week, the European Union updated a list of individuals facing asset freezes and travel bans over their ties to the Kremlin and began imposing sanctions on Abramovich. The 55-year-old had already been punished in Britain.

NATO-member Turkey has close ties to both Russia and Ukraine. It has criticized Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine but has also positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate between the two.

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