The authorities of the European Union and the United States abandoned plans to disconnect Russian banks from the system of worldwide interbank financial communication channels (SWIFT) in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is reported by the German publication Handelsblatt, citing government sources. empty» alt=»» />
The SWIFT building in La Hulpe, Belgium. Photo: flickr
The interlocutors of the newspaper indicated that instead, Western governments are preparing to introduce targeted sanctions against the largest Russian banks.
The complete disconnection of Russia from the SWIFT system seems “too risky” to the US and EU authorities, as this step will lead to destabilization of financial markets,
and in the medium term — to the creation of an alternative payment infrastructure , which will not be controlled by Western countries, writes Handelsblatt.
The sources of the publication emphasize that in the scenario with the imposition of sanctions against large Russian banks (for example, VTB, Sberbank, Gazprombank and others), Germany asks for some exceptions for the sake of payment for gas and oil supplies from Russia.
Against the background of reports from Handelsblatt, the ruble strengthened against the dollar and the euro. By 19:18 Moscow time the dollar exchange rate was 75.88 rubles, the euro — 86.54. Prior to this, the ruble was falling against the backdrop of fruitless talks between Russia and NATO on security in Europe.