The Foreign Ministry said that Russia will reduce the use of the dollar in external payments

Russia is reducing the use of the dollar in reserves and external settlements and is switching to non-Western capital markets, and taking other measures in the face of sanctions. Dmitry Birichevsky, Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told RIA Novosti about this.

Moscow is working to provide reliable and secure channels for the transmission of financial information and is establishing direct interbank correspondent relationships with major trading partners, Birichevsky said. Russia will also increase the share of mutual payments in national currencies.

Earlier, on March 7, the government approved a list of states that commit unfriendly actions against Russia and Russian individuals and legal entities. The countries of the EU, the USA , Great Britain, Canada and other states have made it to it. The government explained that citizens of the country, Russian companies, the state itself, regions and municipalities will be able to pay off their obligations to creditors from these countries in rubles.

Transactions and operations of Russian companies with firms and citizens from these states will be approved by the government commission for the control of foreign investment. It may not grant permission or grant it to the applicant with certain restrictions.

The day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on restrictions on the export and import of products and raw materials. According to this document, such a step is necessary to "ensure the security of the Russian Federation and the smooth functioning of industry", it does not apply to Russians, foreign citizens and stateless persons. The government was instructed to create a list of countries that will be affected by such a measure.