Trump gave the Ministry of Finance the authority to impose sanctions against the Turkish government

The President of the United States Donald Trump provided the US Department of Finance "New and very significant powers in the issue of imposing sanctions" in relation to the Turkish government, TASS reports with reference to a statement for journalists of the US Minister Stephen Mnuchin in the White House.

According to him, Trump "provided the Ministry of Finance with new and very significant powers in the issue of imposing sanctions against any person related to the Turkish government." Corresponding restrictions will be introduced according to the results of consultations between the president, Secretary of State and Minister of Finance.

Mnuchin made a reservation that if Trump has not signed this decree yet, he would definitely sign during the day. “At the moment, we have not yet imposed sanctions [as part of this decree],” the minister said. “We are not acting sanctions.”

“At the direction of President Trump, we will, as necessary, impose sanctions against specific persons and organizations in Turkey,” added Mnuchin. “This is a warning to banks and other parties to be prepared for possible measures.”

"The president is concerned about the ongoing military operation and the fact that it can affect civilian citizens and civilian infrastructure, as well as ethnic and religious minorities. It is extremely important that Turkey does not allow the escape of a single terrorist of IG (the Islamic State Extremist group banned in the Russian Federation)," the head of the American financial department explained.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Finance, the decree is aimed at “saying Turkey from further offensive military operations in the northeast of Syria, including, but not limited to <...> actions that undermine the continuing anti-terrorism activity of the SDS (armed coalition of the“ Democratic Syria forces ”).”

The presidential order will also allow the Ministry of Finance to impose sanctions against "individuals and legal entities of the Turkish government, which are involved in human rights or actions leading to further undermining peace, security and stability in the northeast of Syria."

In addition, new powers allow the Minister of Finance to introduce restrictions on "persons who deliberately conduct business" with those against whom restrictions were already introduced within the framework of this decree. American sanctions against Turkey will be very effective and crush the Turkish economy, says Stephen Mnuchin. “These are very powerful sanctions. I hope we don’t have to use them,” he said. “But we can crush the Turkish economy if necessary.”

“The difficult military situation continues, it is being discussed,” the minister said, answering the question of how possible restrictions can help the US allies. “I believe the president conducts special discussions, as well as the Ministry of Defense. This is the path that guarantees providing humanitarian issues and protect people on Earth.”

At the same time, Mnuchin did not agree with the opinion that the previous actions of Washington were not perceived properly by Ankara. "I did not agree. I can’t comment on confidential discussions at various levels," he answered the question of why Turkey, according to the United States, should change behavior due to the threat of sanctions.

Recall, on October 9, Ankara announced the operation in the north of Syria Operation "Source of the World", which began with air strikes of the Air Force on the positions of Kurdish units. The goal is to create a buffer zone there, which should become a protective belt for the Turkish border and where, according to Ankara, Syrian refugees will be able to return from Turkey. The Syrian State Agency San called the operation of aggression, the world community condemned the actions of Ankara.