The United States and the European Union opposed the disconnection of the Russian Federation from the international payment system SWIFT in the event of a hypothetical war with Ukraine, Reuters reports, citing sources.

According to the agency, Washington and Brussels are finalizing a package of sanctions against Russia, which includes measures against large Russian banks, exports of components for defense and technology production, as well as restrictions against "specific Russian oligarchs."

According to three sources familiar with the negotiations, a complete ban on the use of SWIFT by the Russian Federation "was not actively considered after it faced strong objections from European countries."

The goal of the United States and the EU is to “design sanctions that really hit the Russians,” one source said, while also taking into account the risks for those who impose restrictions. According to him, Washington and its allies, while working on the sanctions package, were aware that anti-Russian measures would hit the states of Europe harder.

Earlier, the White House said that the United States continues to discuss with Europe measures against Russia in the event of its "invasion" of Ukraine, including disconnecting from SWIFT.

The story of a possible “Russian invasion” of Ukraine has been actively promoted in the West since mid-autumn last year. The US has consistently pointed to a supposed increase in Russia's presence near Ukraine's borders, threatening Moscow with new sanctions if it escalates. At the same time, the Kremlin has more than once directly denied any plans to attack Ukraine, on the contrary, pointing to the possible preparation of a military operation in the Donbass by Kiev.

bbabo.Net