VTB CEO Says Financial System Could Cope if Cut Off From SWIFT

LOCAL NEWS

• VTB CEO says Russia's financial system would be able to cope even if it was disconnected from the SWIFT global interbank payments system.
  • However, he says he does not expect this to happen as, “it would be a very serious measure. Unfriendly doesn’t do it justice”
• German Defence Minister Lambrecht said Sunday that NATO allies were willing to discuss a raft of demands put forward by Russia, but notes it cannot dictate to NATO partners how they position themselves.
  • Demands include: the withdrawal of NATO’s forward operating battalions from Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and firm commitments that Ukraine and Georgia will never join NATO.
• Deputy FM Grushko says Russia will create counter threats if NATO turns down Russia’s proposals for security guarantees on Saturday.
  • Says Russia is making clearly ready to talk about shifting from military to political means in negotiations, but if this fails will develop counter threats. This follows Russia handing over security guarantee proposals on 15 Dec

Data/Events:

• Deputy Finmin Moiseev to discuss Russia’s financial market development through 2024 with parliament committee