The United States and the European Union (EU), along with other Western partners, agreed this Saturday expelled “certain” Russian banks Swift international system, a strong economic measure in response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.

“We are committed to ensuring that certain banks in Russia are removed from the Swift messaging system. This will ensure that these banks remain disconnected from the international financial system. and changing their ability to operate globally,” said a joint statement issued by the White House, and also signed by Canada and the UK.

Russian entity exception, whose name was not mentioned by the statementfrom the Society for Global Interbank Financial Telecommunication (Swift, for its acronym in English) comes after intensive consultations in recent days between the US and European countries, some of which have raised their doubts about it.

The Swift transaction system is the foundation of the global financial system and is used by 11,000 banks in 200 countries or territories to make transfers.

Likewise, Western allies agreed to “implement restrictive measures” against the Russian Central Bank with the aim of “preventing the use of its international reserves to weaken the impact” of sanctions.

In a phone call with reporters to explain these sanctions, a White House official, who requested anonymity, stressed that “the effects of these actions will be felt immediately on Russian financial markets” and pointed out that as a consequence Russia’s currency, the ruble, “will be in free fall”. .

On the other hand, Western allies have also pledged to act together to “limit the sale of so-called gold passports, which allow wealthy Russians connected to the Russian government to become citizens and gain access to the financial systems” of signatory countries. of the statement.

“We stand with the Ukrainian people in this dark hour,” the document concludes, pointing to the possibility of additional sanctions.

After months of tension, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday that began with bombings in several city centers and continued with troop deployments, prompting the Russian military unit to tighten its siege of the nation’s capital, Kiev. .

In reaction to attacks by Russia, US, EU and other partners they have announced a barrage of economic sanctions against Moscow, including financial blockades of some of Russia’s largest banks and restrictions on exports of Western high-tech products to Russia.