Russia Publishes List Of Countries It Deems 'Unfriendly' Following Invasion Of Ukraine

Russia has published a list of 'unfriendly countries' as it threatens economic reprisals for those who have been involved in implementing sanctions in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

The lengthy list includes some 43 countries, including all members of the European Union and NATO, who will now require 'special authorisation' from the Kremlin in order to do business in Russia.

As well as the United States, UK and France, countries outside of Russia's immediate geopolitical sphere have also found themselves added to the list, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

Social media users have noted that included on the list is San Marino - the world's fifth-smallest country - leading one person to joke 'if San Marino is on the list, I might as well be on the list.'

State-run Russian news agency TASS described the list as comprised of 'foreign states and territories that commit unfriendly actions against Russia, its companies, and citizens.'

According to the Kremlin the countries named will require explicit permission from the Russian government to do business, including real estate purchases, financial trades and loan deals.

In addition, countries on the list owed debts by Russia will now be paid in rubles instead of the currency in which the bonds were issued.

The announcement portrayed the move as a tough response to countries that have enacted sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine 13 days ago, however experts have said there is little Russia can do to prevent the imminent economic collapse the country is facing as a result of its actions.

In the wake of the massive sanctions placed on Russia over the past week the country's currency has nearly halved in value, with inflation rising to 20%.

The Moscow Stock Exchange has been closed since the invasion was launched on February 24, with no plans to reopen it until next week at the earliest, in what is widely regarded as a doomed attempt to prevent an inevitable stock market crash once trading eventually restarts.

A large number of multinational companies have announced their withdrawal from Russia, including Visa and Mastercard, who over the weekend confirmed they would no longer facilitate payments made on Russian cards abroad.

The EU has also announced a freeze on Russia's €630 billion in foreign reserves, while analysts have said the country is likely to default on its foreign debts within a matter of months.

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