Russian Central Bank Official Calls for Reduced Reliance on Western Sanctions System

(MENAFN) A senior official at Russia’s central bank has called for the country to further reduce its exposure to Western financial pressure and strengthen independent economic systems, according to reports.

According to reports, First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia Vladimir Chistyukhin said during a session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that Western sanctions should be “ignored,” arguing that Russia must expand its financial sovereignty and develop payment infrastructure that is less vulnerable to external influence.

He made the remarks during a discussion focused on restructuring the global financial system, where officials, economists, and banking representatives examined alternatives to Western-dominated financial networks.

Since 2022, Russia has significantly expanded its domestic financial infrastructure after several major banks were disconnected from the SWIFT messaging system. Efforts have included scaling up the SPFS financial messaging network, expanding the Mir payment system, and exploring digital ruble and cryptocurrency-based mechanisms for international transactions.

Chistyukhin stated that financial systems are increasingly being used as instruments of geopolitical pressure and argued that Russia should rely more heavily on domestic platforms, including national payment and credit-rating systems, to increase resilience. He also noted that a large majority of settlements with what Russia classifies as “friendly countries” are now conducted in non-Western currencies.

Other participants in the discussion highlighted ongoing regulatory changes aimed at integrating digital currencies and crypto-assets into formal financial frameworks, describing them as part of a broader shift toward alternative settlement systems. Some also pointed to experimental cross-border uses of digital currencies and stablecoins linked to the ruble as part of this transition.

Economic commentators at the forum added that financial tools have historically been used as instruments of geopolitical influence, arguing that such practices are likely to remain a feature of the global system. They also suggested that while cryptocurrencies may expand their role, they are unlikely to fully replace traditional currencies, with future systems expected to combine conventional money with digital financial technologies.

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