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Russian SWIFT counterpart already has over 160 non-residents from 20 countries — regulator

According to Head of the department of the national payment system at the Bank of Russia Alla Bakina, two Cuban banks are connected to this system

MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/ The Financial Messaging System of the Bank of Russia (SPFS) already has more than 160 non-residents from 20 countries, Alla Bakina, head of the department of the national payment system at the Bank of Russia, announced during the 21st meeting of the intergovernmental Russian-Cuban commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation.

"Today, more than 160 foreign participants from 20 countries are connected to this system (SPFS - TASS), including two Cuban banks, which are almost direct participants," Bakina said.

In 2014, the Bank of Russia launched the Financial Messaging System (SPFS) in test mode. The system can transmit data in the SWIFT format, but it does not depend on its channels. In 2017, the system started working in full, transmitting messages about transactions in any currency.

Initially it was meant only for users inside Russia, though by February 2022 more than 20 Belarusian banks, credit organizations from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba and other countries had joined it.

Kazakhstan purchases around 280 mln kWh of electricity from Russia in 2024

Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satqaliev added that the price of electricity varies depending on the time of day

Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Russia, like most of the world, does not support sanctions against Cuba — Putin

The recent vote at the UN, which was devoted to the issue of lifting the blockade, showed that the vast majority of countries in the world are also on the side of Cuba, the Russian leader said

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

More than 90% of payments in EAEU are carried out in national currencies — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the combined GDP of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, according to available estimates, increased from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion

Russia pre-emptively plans intermediate-range missile sites to counter US moves — diplomat

Correspondingly, specialists are carrying out preliminary pre-emptive planning, Sergey Ryabkov said

Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Efforts to distort World War II events grow over the world — ambassador

The diplomat noted that he believes it's everyone's duty to tell the younger generation the historical truth about the events of World War II

French military already present in Donbass — French journalist

Christelle Neant said that the Ukrainian armed forces is drafting people with no military experience as part of its mobilization campaign and sends them to the frontline after "just two or three weeks of training"

Ukrainian president appoints Zaluzhny ambassador to London

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Russia’s ice cream production rises by 12% to 110 mln kg in Q1

In comparison with the previous quarter, when 66 mln kilograms were produced, the production of ice cream for January-March 2024 increased by 66%

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Ethnic Poles and Georgians account for the largest groups of mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

Over 882,000 Ukrainian men now EU refugees — statistics agency

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Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

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The prosecution had "sufficient grounds" for opening a criminal case

Russia will not allow anyone to distort meaning of Victory Day — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that the West was preparing "historical amnesia" for Russia, as happened with Ukraine, but Russian President Vladimir Putin managed to restore the country's memory and dignity

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Tourist flow between the countries is not high for a number of reasons, Simona Halperin said

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"An escalation is ongoing," the president said

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According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

Kazakhstan purchases around 280 mln kWh of electricity from Russia in 2024

Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Almasadam Satqaliev added that the price of electricity varies depending on the time of day

Senior Russian diplomat warns about proportional response to threats coming from Finland

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, many of such measures have already been announced

Israel has no plans to introduce Russian Mir payment cards — ambassador

Israeli Ambassador to Russia Simona Halperin said said that Israel works with the international SWIFT system

Russian FPV drones destroy observation posts of Ukrainian armed forces — Defense Ministry

These posts were located in the region of Ukraine bordering the Belgorod region, the ministry reported

Russia hammers Ukrainian energy, military sites in retaliatory strike — top brass

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Ukrainian nationalists financed by US, Britain after WWII — declassified archives

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Representatives of the company and the committee management were sent to the scene of the accident

Russia prioritizes relations with Africa — Putin

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Around 110,000 people fled Rafah in southern Gaza Strip amid Israeli operation

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East said that "nowhere is safe in the Gaza Strip and living conditions are atrocious"

Russian paratroopers thwart attempt by Ukrainian troops to cross Dnieper — ministry

The coordinates of the targets were transmitted to the group’s artillerymen, who hit the infantry positions and also destroyed the Ukrainian armed forces’ boats

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Hungary urges for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks, the prime minister said

US does not want to support Israel in Rafah operation — White House

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Hungary, China ink 16 cooperation agreements, including on nuclear energy

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According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

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Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

Russia’s top brass mulls arming military pilots with PP-2000 submachine gun

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Belgorod Region attacked with 37 Ukrainian drones in past day

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Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.4 mln cubic meters

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Putin added that he hopes that parliamentarians will support his choice

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.4 mln cubic meters

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Putin congratulates parade participants on Victory Day

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Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

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Russian troops inflict 215 casualties on Ukrainian army in Donetsk area over past day

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Russia’s cutting-edge weaponry capable of ‘blinding’ enemy's army

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Russia’s latest Lebedev modular pistol passes state trials

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At least 90,000 soldiers attend Victory Day celebrations across Russia

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