The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) used intimidation against Turkish businessmen involved in trade with Russia, prying into their real estate contracts with Russians, Turkish daily Yeni Şafak reported on Friday.

According to the Turkish daily, the CIA Turkey chief called and "openly threatened" the officials of construction companies with links to housing purchases made by Russian entities and individuals. The CIA official reportedly interviewed Turkish businessmen, asking them about the number of houses sold to Russians, the currency and method used in transactions, and other confidential details like if it was paid by cash on hand or through a bank. 

Another instance of "meddling" in Turkish internal affairs includes a letter that, according to Yeni Şafak, US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo sent to the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD). The letter reportedly dated this Monday, August 22, threatened to impose sanctions on TÜSİAD members that were doing business with Russia.

Adeyemo also held a phone call with Turkish Deputy Finance Minister Yunus Elitaş last Friday, in which he made claims that Russian entities and individuals are attempting to use Turkey to circumvent sanctions imposed by the West. 

The US and a number of aligned countries began imposing sanctions on Russian individuals and entities in response to the launch of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine in late February. So far, Turkey has not joined the sanctions regime against Moscow.