The European Union, the USA, Canada and Great Britain announced the decision to disconnect the Russian banks from SWIFT, reported European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This measure will affect banks against which sanctions were previously imposed, “and, if necessary, other Russian banks”, claimed government of Germany.
“We are committed to disconnecting a certain number of Russian banks from SWIFT. This will stop their operations around the world and effectively block Russian exports and imports,” the head of the European Commission said in a statement.
Recall that the following were sanctioned: VTB, Otkritie, Sovcombank, Promsvyazbank and Novikombank, Alfa-Bank, VEB.RF, Rosselkhozbank, Novikombank, MKB, Rossiya, IS-Bank, ChBRR, Genbank and Gazprombank.
Also, the European Union will freeze the assets of Russian businessmen and the Central Bank of Russia. Against which businessmen the restrictions will be introduced is still unknown. Restrictive measures against the Bank of Russia are being taken by the United States, Britain and Canada. As of February 18, the international reserves of the Bank of Russia amounted to the equivalent of $643 billion.
In addition, the EU will refuse “golden passports” for Russians – the opportunity to obtain European citizenship in exchange for investment.
Ursula von der Leyen added that these measures would “significantly reduce Russia’s ability to finance the war” and limit the ability of the Central Bank to support the ruble.
