KIEV, Nov. 4 – The National Bank of Ukraine has equated Crimean residents to nonresidents of Ukraine.

The decision is stipulated in NBU resolution No. 699 of November 3, 2014 which is to take effect on November 5.

"It is established that for the purpose of applying legal acts of the National Bank of Ukraine: persons whose place of residence (registered or lives) is on the territory of the free economic zone "Crimea" are equated to nonresidents (as for investment transactions – to foreign investor); agreements signed by Crimean residents with residents of the rest of the territory of Ukraine are documents used instead of foreign economic agreements (contracts) when legal acts of the NBU apply," reads the resolution.