MOSCOW. November 6. /TASS/. Russia is waging financial wars with unfriendly countries that have imposed sanctions on the country, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said speaking at the Znanie (Knowledge) youth marathon.

"As you know, right now we are going through big tests at the front. The special military operation [is ongoing]. This is an ordeal for the country. But in addition to this, we are waging financial wars. Foreign banks do not work with us, I mean from Western countries. Settlements in foreign currencies are not conducted, we have closed payments with other countries and companies. This is a financial war, isn’t it?" Siluanov said.

He noted that Russia turned out to be ready for such challenges.

"Our finances have proven to be stable and strong against such shocks. Yes, they have imposed a bunch of sanctions, but nevertheless we receive our salaries. The economy is working. The rate of economic growth is higher than the world average. This is very cool!" the minister said.

He also added that many countries still depend on external organizations

"We went through all this in the 1980s, when the [International] Monetary Fund, giving us money, also set a whole series of political [conditions]. Do we need this? No, we don’t. And therefore today we are pursuing an independent financial policy and doing what we need, what our country needs. This is the most important thing," Siluanov stressed.