21 Mar 2014 17:12

Putin orders to transfer his salary to Rossiya bank

MOSCOW. March 21 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin will open an account with the Rossiya (Russia) bank, which has been put on the sanctions list amid the Crimean events.

"I have already said that I intend to open a personal account there, moreover, I have ordered the administration to transfer my salary there," Putin told reporters on Friday.

Bank clients should not be affected due to its inclusion on the sanctions list, Putin said. "Of course, we should not just take [the bank client] under protection but provide assistance to the bank client so that no consequences for enterprises and clients of this financial enterprise occur," he said.

The Russian president has ordered the Central Bank to support the Rossiya bank, "not to mention that it has a melodious name."

Putin said earlier on Friday he would open an account in Rossiya next Monday, March 24. "As for this financial institution, it is a mid-sized bank, as far as I understand," Putin said at a session of the Russian Security Council, after listening to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's report concerning U.S. sanctions against Russia.

"I personally do not have an account there, but I will certainly open it on Monday," Putin said.