Ruble as a currency for international settlements: Problems and prospects

The article studies recent trends in the international role of the ruble. It is demonstrated that, despite the rise in the share of ruble settlements in Russian foreign trade, as well as in nominal value of ruble transactions in foreign exchange markets, ruble’s position in the global currency system has generally deteriorated. The analysis of factors behind choice of settlement currency, as well as of country cases, shows that, for ruble’s role to rise in the future, Russian authorities need to, on the one hand, ensure macroeconomic stability and promote economic diversification; on the other hand, take special measures to develop settlement systems, enhance financial market infrastructure, expand the volume of trade finance and trade credit insurance denominated in rubles.