Berlin The exclusion of Russian banks from the international payment information system SWIFT is becoming increasingly likely. The federal government, which had long rejected this approval, is now ready to do so under certain conditions. A settlement can be reached by this evening.

However, a video conference originally planned for this purpose with US President Joe Biden and the heads of state and government of major EU countries had to be canceled at short notice. This is because one of the participants was unable to establish a secure communication link at his whereabouts, according to the participants on Saturday evening.

Planned agreements on new Russia sanctions must now be in writing. An announcement regarding this can be made late in the evening or on Sunday night. Besides Biden, French President Emmanuel Marcone, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) are also expected to participate in the talks. After a possible agreement, all EU states will have to decide on the ban together.