'“With domestic gold market liquidity having increased in recent years, the Bank of Russia now conducts equivalent operations on the domestic market not only through yuan transactions but also partially through gold,” a Central Bank spokesperson told Interfax.'

Putin has made Russia a subservient tribute state to China. Putin is Xis puppy dog military proxy and discount oil and gas clown. Russia is now reliant upon China to facilitate trade payments via Chinas shadow banking routes that bypass the SWIFT/USD hegemony. Russia is fuelling Chinas rise and supporting Chinas incremental challenge to US hegemony.