Barys Zhaliba: Putin will take us with bare hands with help of Russian ruble

Putin wants to introduce a bill to the Duma, under which the dollar will be excluded from transactions within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Belarusian economist Professor Barys Zhaliba said it at a round table discussion in the headquarters of the United Civil Party (UCP), udf.by reports.

“Events can develop in another direction. Putin prepares to introduce a bill to the Duma, under which the dollar won't be used in transactions within the CIS. If he does it, he will be able to use the weakness of the economies of CIS countries and take us with bare hands with the help of Russian ruble. We will lose our sovereignty through the ruble. I think this is a real threat,” the expert said.

Vladimir Putin introduced a bill to Russia's State Duma on August 28, proposing to use national currencies in trade within the CIS. It means the creation of a common financial market between Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and other CIS member states.