Russia Seeks Sanctions Exemptions For State Bank In Ukraine-Grain-Deal Talks

Russia wants the West to ease restrictions on state lender Rosselkhozbank to facilitate Russian grain exports, according to four sources familiar with the request, made during talks to extend a deal on food shipments from Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has reserved Russia's right to halt the agreement, while the United Nations is pushing Moscow to agree to extend the pact before it expires on November 19. The sources, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject, said Russia was asking Western countries to allow Rosselkhozbank to restore relations with correspondent banks despite sanctions. To read the original story from Reuters, click here.