It was a remarkable sight when one of the world's most expensive luxury boats sailed into port in Turkish Marmaris last week.

The Eclipse superyacht is valued at an incredible SEK 9.3 billion.  

In European ports, the boat had most likely been confiscated because it is owned by the famous Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

But in Turkey, the luxury boat found a safe haven. 



Turkey has not joined the countries that have imposed sanctions on Abramovich and other oligarchs in order to isolate Putin.

President Erdogan justifies this by saying that Turkey wants to continue maintaining good relations with Russia.   

The Turkish government has admittedly been clear in its support for Ukraine and condemned the Russian invasion.

Many Ukrainians praise Turkey for supplying armed drones.

And the war in Ukraine has led to Turkey being re-admitted into the heat among many Western countries, which previously had a frosty relationship with Ankara. 

Second line against Russia

But at the same time, Turkey has chosen a different line towards Russia than most other NATO countries.

Turkey does not want to choose between the parties, which is especially noticeable in the attitude towards the oligarchs.

"Russian oligarchs are welcome to do business in Turkey as long as it complies with international law," Turkey's foreign minister said in a statement on Saturday.   

Istanbul has also become one of the most popular destinations for Russians fleeing their country for fear of the political climate.

Turkey is one of the few countries with direct air connections to Russia and no visa is required for Russian citizens. 

Sees an opportunity

But for the Russian oligarchs, Turkey has never been a favorite destination before.

They would rather spend their time in luxury apartments in New York, London and Paris or flamboyant seaside resorts on the French or Italian Riviera.  

But need has no law.

When the oligarchs try to save what can be saved from assets in the West, Turkey sees an opportunity to attract capital on a whim.  

Shortly after the luxury boat Eclipse, Abramovich sailed his second superyacht to Turkish Bodrum.

The slightly smaller Solaris is 140 meters long.

The value is estimated at approximately SEK 5.7 billion.  

There are also rumors that Abramovich wants to buy the Turkish football club Göztepe, while he is forced to sell the English club Chelsea.  

Turkish media are delighted with the news of Abramovich's newfound interest in Turkey.

The death of one, the bread of the other.