MOSCOW, July 2. /TASS/. The U.S. sanctions against Russian defense industry enterprizes are aimed at those who assist Damascus in fighting terrorists, which is seen clearly from Washington’s policies, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in a comment the ministry published on its website.
"By attempting once again to try pressing several enterprises of our defense industry under the pretext of their cooperation with other countries, first of all with Syria, the U.S. has demonstrated clearly the essence of its policies," he said. "How could be considered the aspiration of the White House to "punish" Russian enterprises, which assist the Syrian people in fighting the Islamic State (terrorist organization outlawed in Russia)? What is it if not an indirect support of terrorists?"
He said if the administration of the U.S. President Barack Obama does not care about the damage to the Russian-U.S. relations, then they should think how the U.S. looks in the world. "However, as the CIS actually had fostered Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, the lack of principles and moral in Washington’s polices is so evident, that in fact there is not much to comment on."
The deputy foreign minister said Russia would not give in under the sanctions. "I believe, the most slowpokes in Washington could have realized it over the past two plus years."
On July 1, the U.S. announced sanctions against five Russian enterprises the grounds of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act (INKSNA). Among them are 150th Aircraft Repair Plant, Instrument Design Bureau, Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau, Kuntsevo Design Bureau and NPO Mashinostroeniya, the U.S. Department of State said on Friday.
According to INKSNA, the U.S. federal agencies are prohibited from having business relations and making any commercial transactions with the above mentioned companies.