The volume of direct trade in rubles has increased in Finland against the background of sanctions

The anti-Russian sanctions imposed by Finland have led to an increase in direct trade in rubles in the country, especially in the country's shopping malls. This was reported by the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti.

"There is a brisk trade in rubles and euros. Here, sellers and buyers of rubles and euros, and sometimes Ukrainian hryvnias, meet and agree on currency exchange without banks and other intermediaries," the publication clarifies.

It is noted that the channel has about 24 thousand participants. At the same time, "most of the people who are engaged in this activity are in Helsinki and the surroundings of the capital."

The publication notes that the restrictions imposed in the spring of 2022 interrupted bank transfers between Finland and Russia, which made financial transactions especially difficult for those who keep in touch with relatives on both sides of the border. This forced people to look for alternative ways of exchanging currencies — outside the banking system and without the participation of official intermediaries.

In addition, Finnish intelligence draws attention to the lack of official regulatory oversight of such transactions. The newspaper noted that currency exchange between individuals through messengers and social networks has become one of the ways to circumvent restrictions and solve urgent everyday problems for people under the sanctions regime.

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