
The European Union has excluded seven Russian banks from the global SWIFT system.
Among them are: VTB Bank, Bank Otkritie, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank, Rossiya Bank, Sovcombank and VEB , according to a statement from the European bloc.
" At lightning speed, the European Union has approved three waves of tough sanctions against Russia's financial system, high-tech industries and a corrupt elite, " said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen in a statement.
"This is the largest package of sanctions in the history of the European Union. "Today's decision disconnects key Russian banks from the SWIFT network and sends another clear signal to Putin and the Kremlin."
At the speed of light, the EU has adopted heavy sanctions against Russia financial system, its high-tech industries and corrupt elite.
- Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 2, 2022
Today's decision to disconnect key Russian banks from the SWIFT network will send yet another very clear signal to Putin and the Kremlin.
The list does not mention the major Russian banks, Sberbank and Gazprombank, which have access to SWIFT to enable EU countries to make payments for Russian oil and gas.