Russia Eyes Currency Shift to Bypass Western Sanctions

COLOMBO (News 1st); Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan Dzhagaryan, has hailed the resilience of bilateral relations between the two nations, highlighting strong trade and tourism links despite mounting international sanctions on Moscow.

Speaking on the state of cooperation, Ambassador Dzhagaryan revealed that trade between Russia and Sri Lanka reached $640 million last year, with Ceylon tea continuing to dominate Russian shelves. “It’s very popular,” he noted, adding that Sri Lanka remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Russian travelers.

Tourism flows are expected to surge following the resumption of direct flights to Colombo and Mattala airports on October 1, after a six-month suspension. “Now you can witness a lot of Russians coming here,” the envoy said.

Addressing global challenges, Dzhagaryan dismissed Western sanctions as “illegal and ineffective,” asserting they have “no impact on Russian foreign policy or our special military operation.” He warned that Moscow’s stance remains firm: “Either the opposite side accepts our demands, or we will continue our offensive on the ground.”

The ambassador described sanctions as a “lose-lose game,” stressing that Russia is increasingly bypassing restrictions by trading in national currencies with partners such as China, India, Iran, and post-Soviet republics. “It’s a very good option to bypass the sanctions,” he said.