Cuba condemns 'unilateral' US sanctions on Turkey

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Cuba on Wednesday condemned "unilateral" US sanctions against Turkey over Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense system.

"#Cuba strongly condemns US unilateral measures against Turkey, showing once again this country's continued disrespect for International Law and the UN Charter," Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said on Twitter.

Rodriguez's message was also echoed by Cuba’s Ambassador to Turkey Luis Alberto Amaros Nunez.

On Monday, Washington sanctioned Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries, its head Ismail Demir and three other officials under Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

In April 2017 when its protracted efforts to buy an air defense system from the US proved fruitless, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the S-400 shield.

US officials have voiced opposition to their deployment, claiming they would be incompatible with NATO systems and would expose next-generation F-35 jets to possible Russian subterfuge.

Turkey, however, stressed that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems, and posed no threat to the alliance or its armaments.

It has repeatedly urged a working group to clear up the technical compatibility issues.