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Anti-Russian sanctions

Putin intends to open account in US sanctioned bank Rossiya

Russian president also took with humour imposing of sanctions against Russian citizens and state officials

© EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY

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Obama: US imposes further sanctions against Russia due to its policy towards Ukraine

MOSCOW, March 21. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian president Vladimir Putin intends to open an account in Russian bank Rossiya which came under US sanctions. Putin has made a statement at a meeting of the Russian Security Council after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s report on introduction of US sanctions against Russia.

“As far as I understand, this is a middle-size bank,” Putin noted. “I do not have an account there, but I will compulsorily open an account there on Monday,” he pledged.

Putin also took with humour imposing of sanctions against concrete Russian citizens, state officials, some of which participated in the meeting, particularly, Speaker of State Duma lower house of parliament Sergey Naryshkin. “You should stay away from them, they are compromising us,” he said with a smile.

The US added to the black list another 20 Russian officials on 20 March. It was announced by the representative of the US administration after the statement of President Barack Obama to impose additional sanctions against Russia. Head of the US administration also told that he had signed a decree that gives the opportunity to take punitive measures against key sectors of the Russian economy. Among those who was added to sanctional list was the bank Rossiya, controlled by Yury Kovalchuk.

On Friday, the international payment systems Visa and MasterCard suddenly stopped service cards issued by the bank Rossiya.

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Sanctions vs. Russia

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Viktor Orban noted that there should be a buffer zone between NATO and Russia and Ukraine could serve as one

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French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

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Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

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Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

Fox News said the Jewish state delivered a limited strike on Iran

Israel to not take responsibility for attack on Iran — newspaper

Israeli sources also said that they did not understand why the Pentagon had leaked information about Israel's involvement in the attack to the media

Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute