Russian central bank sees 'prolonged' impact from Western sanctions

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Russian central bank expects Western sanctions already imposed on Russia for its involvement in the Ukraine crisis to have a prolonged effect and hinder economic growth next year, according to a policy document published on Friday.

"The impact from already imposed sanctions, including limiting access to foreign financial markets for Russian companies, will have a prolonged effect," the central bank said in its annual monetary policy strategy document. "This will constrain economic growth in 2015."