PIONERSKY (Kaliningrad Region) (Sputnik) — A major "de-dollarization" trend is seen within the Russian economy, Oreshkin said, underscoring the need to support an increased role of the ruble.
"There is a big trend toward the de-dollarization of the Russian economy. The Central Bank made some very important steps so that fewer foreign currency loans were issued," Oreshkin said.
He added, speaking at a session on the development of transport infrastructure in Northwest Russia, that the increased role of the ruble "is such a trend that should be fully supported."
"And we should move away from, among others, foreign currency loans. Because we see what foreign exchange risks can lead to," the minister stressed.
The talks about the reduction of Russia's dependence on US payment systems have intensified after US President Trump signed a new round of sanctions on Moscow.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said prior to that that the cutting dependence on US payment systems has "become a necessity," adding that Moscow plans to intensify the work on the issue.
In early July, Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s leader Xi Jinping agreed to continue consultations on a wider use of national currencies in mutual payments and investments. Negotiations on the use of national currencies in bilateral trade have also been discussed with India, Iran, Turkey.
