Explainer: Russian banks out in the cold as EU unveils SWIFT sanctions
The sanctions target nearly 80% of all banking assets in Russia.
The sanctions target nearly 80% of all banking assets in Russia.
Putin also ordered Russia's deterrence forces to be placed on "a special mode of combat duty" in a meeting with top officials.
He said Russia’s banking system is not completely cut off, and Moscow could also turn to cryptocurrency to minimise the impact.
Russia's defence ministry previously said its nuclear missile forces had been placed on enhanced combat duty.
Russian troops took over the power plant while Ukrainian forces battled them on three sides on Thursday (Feb 24).
Disinformation posts were first circulated in pro-Russian groups, and then relayed by the state and pro-Kremlin media to the world.
Russia is the world’s second biggest producer of natural gas while Pakistan faces a major supply problem with declining gas reserves.
Mr Putin claimed it is intended to protect civilians.
Washington has not responded to Russia's security guarantee proposals, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said.
The US is desperate to explore new buyers for its natural gas and the strategic significance of the European market has become increasingly important for the US.