Washington sanctioned Moscow Exchange, Russia's main stock market and clearing house for foreign currency transactions, a major new financial punishment MOSCOW: Russians on the streets of the capital shrugged off new US sanctions on dollar and euro trading on Thursday , claiming they had no need for Western currencies in their heavily targeted economy.
The suspension of trading does not restrict Russian businesses, banks and citizens from buying and selling foreign currency. Businesses are trading less with the West and Russians face arduous and expensive trips if they want to visit Europe or the United States, with direct flights banned. The ruble had closed around 89 to the US dollar on Tuesday, the last trading day before the sanctions were announced.