Swift is not included in the first part of the sanctions package.
United States ready, if necessary, to impose sanctions against the Russian «Sberbank» and VTB. The Joe Biden administration does not rule out disconnecting Russia from Swift US administration official.
«Let me be very clear, no Russian financial institution is safe. If this invasion continues, then we are ready to press the button to take further action against the largest Russian financial institutions, including «Sberbank» and VTB, whose total assets amount to almost $750 billion», — he said.
The official was also asked why Washington decided not to impose sanctions on the Russian president in the current package, but he did not elaborate.
«As for the president Putin, then I will simply repeat what US President Joe Biden said: all options for action continue to be considered», — he said.
The United States does not rule out the possibility of Russia being cut off from the Swift interbank payment system, the official said.
«Swift is not included in the first part of the sanctions package. But it remains one of the options we can use depending on what next step Russia takes», — he said.
Recall that US President Joe Biden announced the decision to impose sanctions against Russia on Tuesday evening. He took such a step after Russia's decision to recognize the so-called «DNR» and «LPR».
In particular, the sanctions apply to banks, Russian officials and members of their families.