The United States, European Union, and other Western allies announced Saturday they will cut off certain Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system, and put restrictions on the Russian Central Bank, in retaliation for Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Banks use the SWIFT system to settle cross-border payments, and it is regarded as crucial for financing international trade. In a joint statement, the United States and EU, as well as France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada, “commit to ensuring that selected Russian banks are removed from the SWIFT messaging system.” “This will ensure that these banks are disconnected from the international financial system and harm their ability to operate globally.” They also commit “to imposing restrictive measures that will prevent the Russian Central Bank from deploying its international reserves in ways that undermine the impact of our sanctions.” The United States and allies also seek to limit the sale of citizenship that …