By Elena Teslova</p> <p>MOSCOW (AA) – Russia’s foreign minister on Friday criticized the U.S. putting pressure on Turkey over its decision to buy a Russian S-400 missile defense system.</p> <p>Speaking at the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow, Sergey Lavrov said the U.S. uses methods of power pressure to make countries fall in line with its policy.</p> <p>According to him, Washington uses pressure not only against "countries who pursue independent policies" but also against "its closest allies."</p> <p>"The situation with threats against NATO member Turkey for Ankara's decision to strengthen its defense capacity by purchasing Russian S-400s is an example, there are many others," he said.</p> <p>Washington has balked at Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400, and last week suspended delivery of parts and services for F-35 fighter jets.
Congressmen and the U.S. vice president have threatened to cancel the F-35 sales over the S-400 deal.
U.S. officials have suggested Turkey buy the U.S. Patriot missile system rather than the S-400, arguing it is incompatible with NATO systems and would expose the F-35 to possible Russian subterfuge.
Turkey has responded that it was the U.S. refusal to sell it Patriots that led it to seek other sellers, adding that Russia offered it a better deal, including technology transfers.
The S-300 — a predecessor to the current system — is used by NATO countries Bulgaria, Greece and Slovakia. Their deals with Russia did not provoke criticism from Washington.
