Swift, Central Bank, Oligarchs. Europeans and Allies agree for a third wave of sanctions.

(B2) As long as Moscow continues its offensive on Ukraine, the Europeans promise to aim for the heart of the Russian state. The main one is to exclude Russian banks from the Swift system. Radical measures that will come into force in the coming days.

The measures must be put in place in the coming days. The adoption of the measures must be endorsed by the Foreign Ministers meeting this Sunday (February 27) in an exceptional manner.

Seven actors on the initiative

These measures were negotiated and announced, together by the European Commission, France, Germany and Italy, as well as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom (the Seven), this Saturday (26 February ). A response to " continued attacks by Russian forces " in Ukraine. " We stand with the Ukrainian people in these dark times “, reads the final statement.

1° Cut the Russian banking system from Swift

All Russian banks already sanctioned by the international community " and, " if necessary, other Russian banks will be excluded from the SWIFT international payment service system. Objective : " isolate these institutions from international financial flows ". What " will massively restrict their global activities ».

2° Restrict the capacity of the Russian central bank

The Allies want to prevent the Russian Central Bank from deploying its international reserves, in particular by using its reserves in Euro, Dollar or Yen to support the ruble exchange rate at the international level. " We will cripple the assets of the Russian central bank. This will freeze its transactions. And it will make it impossible for the Central Bank to liquidate its assets “, specifies the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

3° Sanction the Russian oligarchs, “ who support the war against Ukraine »

The freezing of their personal assets, of their families, as entities that the oligarchs " who support the war against Ukraine “, hold will be committed, with prohibition to use their financial assets on the European markets.

The possibility of acquiring European citizenship, via a golden passport (purchase of passport), will be deleted.

Finally, the Seven pledge to work for " detect and disrupt the movement of ill-gotten gains “, and prevent these people from” hide their assets in countries around the world.

A work group composed of representatives of the United States and the European Union will be set up. Goal: to ensure the rapid implementation of sanctions " and " freeze the assets of sanctioned persons, their families and businesses ».

A new set of measures in preparation

Beyond the measures announced, the Seven announce that they will take new measures " if Russia did not end its attack on Ukraine and therefore on the European peace order “, reads the declaration. " Putin has embarked on a path to destroy Ukraine. But what he also does, in fact, is destroy the future of his own country. “, comments the President of the European Commission in a statement recorded in video.

Coordination against hybrid warfare

Finally, the Seven announce that they want to strengthen their coordination against disinformation and other forms of hybrid warfare ».

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

Documents:

• le press release DE / ENG / FR
• Ursula von der Leyen's statement FR / ENG