Ukrainian Foreign Ministry calls for immediately cutting Russia off SWIFT

KYIV. Feb 25 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has called on European countries to cut Russia off the SWIFT international interbank communication system.

"We are calling on certain European countries not to be guided by narrow political interests when the matter concerns the protection of security of not only Ukrainian citizens but also the security of all citizens of Europe. At stake is the future of the international security architecture and the global order based on respect for the UN Charter and fundamental international law norms. Russia must be immediately cut off the SWIFT payment system. It is necessary to act now, without delay," the ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The ministry thanked the U.S., Canada, the EU and other international partners for new economic sanctions against Russia but said these measures are insufficient to stop the Russian operation in Ukraine. Bearing this in mind, Kyiv asked its partners to provide it with more weapons to bolster its defense capability.