Advisor to the President of Ukraine on sanctions issues Vladyslav Vlasyuk analyzed the accusations of US President Donald Trump regarding economic sanctions against Russia.
Vlasyuk published the decryption on his Facebook page.
The advisor to the head of state recalled what the international sanctions group proposed regarding Banking Sanctions.
All this includes five points, including combating intermediary payment schemes and withdrawing from international banks of the Russian Federation.
1. Tightening restrictions on Russian banks.
• Disconnection from SWIFT of the remaining large Russian banks. Currently not under sanctions: Asian-Pacific Bank, Bank AVERS, Center-invest bank, MSP Bank, Realist Bank, Asia Invest Bank.
• Prohibition of correspondent accounts for transactions in the energy and military-industrial complex sectors.
• Secondary sanctions against companies that help Russian banks operate abroad.
Expected result: restrictions on Russia's international transactions and restraint on financial support.
2. Control over crypto assets.
• Strengthening KYC/AML checks for transactions of Russian origin.
• Further sanctions or freezes of crypto wallets linked to Russia.
Expected result: to stop circumventing banking sanctions through cryptocurrencies.
3. Investment restrictions.
• Ban on investments in Russian government debt, even on the secondary market.
• Sanctions against structures that organize the exchange of assets in Russia and third countries (for example, Investment Chamber LLC).
Expected result: reduction in sources of financing for the Russian budget and military spending.
4. Combating intermediary payment schemes.
Russian companies are increasingly using intermediaries in certain third countries. The intermediaries accept rubles in Russia and make payments abroad.
Suggestions:
• Prohibit factoring and agency schemes without transparency and regulation.
• Strengthen control over payments through agents.
• Include such intermediaries in the sanctions lists.
Target:
• Services like MONEYPORT, MONEYROO.
• Russian shell companies.
• Intermediaries in third countries.
Expected result: complication and increase in the cost of Russia's foreign economic activity.
5. The withdrawal of international banks from Russia.
Despite the pressure, some foreign banks still operate in Russia (Raiffeisen, OTP Bank, and others).
In April 2024, restrictions were introduced on their activities — reductions in loan portfolios and payment restrictions.
Expected result: stimulating the final exit of foreign banks from Russia.
As is known, US President Donald Trump, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, made a statement about Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. In particular, Trump emphasized that the Kremlin leader had no reason to fire missiles at civilian areas, cities, and towns in Ukraine over the past few days.