Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova statedthat “neither Putin nor Lavrov have accounts either in Britain or anywhere abroad.”
Earlier, due to the situation in Ukraine, EU sanctions included Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Zakharova, head of the presidential administration Anton Vaino, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, head of the Ministry of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov. In addition to this, VEB.RF, Promsvyazbank, Rossiya Bank were affected by the restrictions. In addition, restrictive measures were taken by the United States and Canada.
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Putin, speaking of Western sanctions, stated that they would be used in any case, and “a reason would be found.” He called the purpose of the restrictions “to slow down the development of Russia.”
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, in turn, assured that Russia was preparing for Western sanctions, including disconnecting the country from the SWIFT international interbank payment system and limiting dollar transactions. According to him, they will be “unpleasant, but not fatal.”
On February 24, Putin announced his decision to launch a military operation in Ukraine. He explained it by self-defense, as well as “demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine.” At the same time, the president claims that the occupation of Ukraine is not included in Moscow’s plans.