Possible Disconnection From SWIFT System Will Not Be Disaster for Russia, Envoy to EU Says

ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) – Moscow does not feel real threats from the remarks of Western politicians about the possible disconnection of Russia from the SWIFT interbank payment information system: even if that happens, it will not be a disaster, Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov told Sputnik.

He was asked on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2021) whether Moscow sees a threat in the Western politicians' remarks on the possible disconnection of Russia from SWIFT.

"No, we do not feel [a threat]. But I am sure that even that would not be a disaster for us," Chizhov said.

SPIEF-2021 is taking place from Wednesday through Saturday in person at the Expoforum Exhibition and Convention Center in St. Petersburg. The Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency is a media partner of the event.

Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin told Sputnik that disconnecting Russia from SWIFT may cause material losses and loss of reputation for SWIFT itself.