Disconnection from SWIFT, sanctions, energy sector are among options considered by Biden in case of Russian attack on Ukraine – media

WASHINGTON. Dec 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is considering a wide range of possible sanctions in the event of a Russian attack on Ukraine, in particular, it may be about disconnecting Russia from the SWIFT system, CNN said on Monday, citing unnamed American officials.

"U.S. officials are currently weighing a wide set of sanctions on Russia meant to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching an invasion into Ukraine," the publication said on its website. However, he said the final list of possible measures has not yet been approved.

According to him, among the measures under consideration are steps against the entourage of Russian President Putin, against energy companies and banks. The restrictions may also apply to the Russian national debt. It is also studying what CNN calls the "nuclear option" disconnecting Russia from the SWIFT international payment system used by banks around the world.

"They are also likely to go after top Russian oligarchs, limiting their ability to travel and potentially cutting off access to American banking and credit card systems," CNN said.

At the same time, CNN said that, according to the interlocutors, no final decisions have been made on the list of possible restrictive measures. The report says that Washington is consulting with European partners, "many of whom have closer economic relationships to Russia — in the hopes of coordinating action," in the hope that possible sanctions can be coordinated with them.