Russia 'disappointed' over new U.S. sanctions against eight more companies: Foreign Ministry

Moscow [Russia], Mar. 26 (ANI): The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed disappointment over the U.S. authorities' decision to introduce sanctions against eight more Russian companies. "The US administration's decision to introduce restrictions against a number of Russian organizations, including those linked to aircraft construction and training aviation specialists, raises eyebrows and arouses disappointment," TASS news agency quoted the ministry's official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying on her Facebook page. She said that the sanction have been placed without providing proper explanation. "This new portion of sanctions does not pose any serious problems for us, of course, however, the Americans did not even name the reasons but just referred to their legislation prohibiting themselves to cooperate with Iran and Syria," she added. Russia's Foreign Ministry notes that this step "is not in line with Washington's statements on priority of fight against terrorism, including its nest on the Syrian territory." On Saturday, the US Administration imposed sanctions on eight more Russian companies accusing them of violating U.S. non-proliferation law concerning Iran, North Korea and Syria since 2009. Traditionally, the U.S. does not specify its claims to the Russian companies. The current sanctions, due to remain in force for the coming two years, ban US departments and agencies from buying any goods or services from blacklisted companies, from selling arms and military hardware to them. Also, the sanctioned companies can neither obtain licenses for buying goods listed in the export control nor get assistance. Among the sanctioned companies are Russia's main weapons exporter Rosobornexport, the 150th aircraft repair plant, the Aviaexport foreign economic trade company, the Bazalt Scientific and Research Corporation, the Scientific and Production Corporation 'Engineering Design Bureau (weapons manufacturing companies), the Ulyanovsk Higher Civil Aviation School, the Urals Civil Aviation Training Center, and the Zhukovsky - Gagarin Air Force Academy. (ANI)