Nureddin Nebati, head of the Turkish Ministry of Finance, appealed to the business community of the country to ignore the threats coming from the U.S. Treasury Department regarding possible sanctions due to cooperation with Russian business, he wrote on his Twitter page.

"It makes no sense that a letter sent to Turkey's business associations has caused concern in our business circles. Turkey is one of the world's most important political and economic centers. Our business community should always feel the strength of their country alongside them," Nebati wrote.

On the eve of the letter the U.S. Treasury Department sent to the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkey (TUSIAD) warning of the consequences of cooperation with Russia. Washington noted that if Turkish companies continue to cooperate with individuals or legal entities from Russia, they may fall under sanctions.

Turkish newspaper Yeni Şafak earlier reported that representatives of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) "openly" threatened Turkish businessmen over ties with Russia. The officers allegedly questioned the Turkish side about the contracts on the sale of real estate to the Russians.