Dhaka, Moscow working out modalities to keep transactions: Russian envoy

PBC News:  Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy Thursday said his country and Bangladesh are working out modalities to keep transactions and trade uninterrupted, avoiding SWIFT system following the Ukraine crisis.

He said different options are being considered, including swap of national currencies and usage of third country’s banks but did not want to go into the details of this workThe Russian ambassador made the remarks at a press conference at the Russian Club highlighting Bangladesh-Russia economic cooperation and its development.

The press conference titled “One month of the Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine: causes and results. The world of post-truth” covered five key areas – the background of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia’s diplomatic efforts aimed at avoiding the conflict, the results of the Russia’s special military operation, role of the West in the militarization and Nazification of Ukraine, economic consequences of the conflict and Russia-Bangladesh relations in a new reality.

Responding to a question on Bangladesh’s voting at the UNGA on March 2, the Russian envoy said they highly appreciate Bangladesh’s “responsible and balanced” attitude towards the resolution.

“We express our gratitude to the Bangladeshi side for its neutral position taken despite the enormous external pressure during the said voting,” he said.

The ambassador said Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen very specifically defined the motives behind Bangladesh’s abstention. “So, I have nothing more to add.”

Rooppur NPP to be implemented as scheduled:

Responding to a question Mantytskiy said construction of the Rooppur NPP is on schedule and the project will be implemented in accordance with previously approved plans. “All operations are being carried out on schedule.”

In 2021, he said, the dome of the inner containment was assembled at Unit 1, the reactor vessel and reactor plant equipment were installed, in February of this year while welding of the reactor coolant pipeline was completed.

Deaerator has been installed in the machine room and installation of the polar crane was completed at Unit 2 in November 2021, said the Ambassador, adding that the reactor vessel and steam generators are scheduled to be mounted by the end of the year.