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Russia slams U.S. sanctions on companies

Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW: Russia slammed U.S. sanctions against its arms companies as a revenge for massive sales of Russian weapons to Venezuela and warned of negative impact on Russian-U.S. relations.

Washington slapped sanctions against Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport and aircraft maker Sukhoi, along with five other companies from India, Cuba and North Korea, for their alleged arms deals with Iran in violation of the U.S. Non-Proliferation Act of 2000.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the sanctions were "unlawful" and "unacceptable," and amounted to "one more unjustifiable attempt to force foreign companies to operate by U.S. domestic rules."

"Our companies involved in military technological cooperation with foreign countries act in strict conformity with international law and Russian legislation, including commitments to non-proliferation and export control," the Foreign Ministry said. Russia's Kommersant daily quoted defence industry sources as suggesting the sanctions could be a reaction to a Russian contract to upgrade 30 Iranian Su-24 bombers.

Retaliation alleged

However, a Defence Ministry official told the Itar-Tass news agency that the sanctions "appear to be a reaction to Russia's breakthrough in the Venezuelan arms market." Last month Russia announced $3-billion contracts to supply Venezuela with 24 Sukhoi-30 jets and 53 helicopters.Moscow said the U.S. sanctions threatened bilateral relations.

PTI reports:

The United States imposed sanctions against seven foreign companies, including two from India, for allegedly passing on technology to Iran that could be used for developing weapons of mass destruction or missile systems, a formal notification said.

The Indian private firms blacklisted are Balaji Amines and Prachi Poly Products.

The sanctioned companieshave come under the U.S. scanner for allegedly violating Sections 2 and 3 of the Iran Non-Proliferation Act.

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