European countries opposed such a measure. The fact that Russia’s disconnection from SWIFT will not benefit anyone was previously stated both in Moscow and in the West. Sanctions in case of invasion of Ukraine will be imposed against banks, writes Reuters
The US and EU are finalizing packages of sanctions against Russia that would be imposed in the event of its invasion of Ukraine. Disabling the country from the SWIFT interbank payment system is not included in the list of possible measures, writes Reuters with reference to American and European officials.
According to them, this step was no longer considered after serious objections from European states.
Sanctions are likely to be imposed against large Russian banks and “some Russian oligarchs”, notes Reuters. One of the interlocutors of the agency said that sanctions could affect VTB and Sberbank. In addition, Washington and Brussels plan to limit exports in the field of defense and technology.
“The goal is to develop sanctions that will really hit Russia, but at the same time monitor the associated risks with the knowledge that sanctions will hit Europe harder,” one of the sources said. Reuters.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba informedthat the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, confirmed to him in a telephone conversation that a package of “heavy sanctions” against Russia was ready.