Russian retail chains need a two-year transition period to prepare for the launch of operations with the digital ruble. This was stated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in a response to the draft law on the start of settlements in the national currency, reports "Izvestia".

The agency believes that the deadlines set by the regulator are "excessively urgent" and create risks for trade.

"It is currently impossible to assess them properly, as there are still no rules for the operation and functioning of the digital ruble," the Ministry of Industry and Trade officials added.

Postponing the launch of the Russian CBDC by two years would allow businesses to organize all processes:

refine software;

make changes to information systems;

conduct testing;

train personnel.