Mashreqbank's decision to stop lending to Russian FIs was not due to any directive from the Central Bank of United Arab Emirates (CBUAE), but was to mitigate the risk from its Russian exposure, the sources said. NEUTRAL STANCE A sharp fall in the Russian rouble and the downgrading of Russia by rating agencies were also concerns because it affects the credit quality of Russian banks, they added. Rating agency S&P lowered Russia's long-term foreign currency credit rating to 'BB+' from 'BBB-', and warned it could lower ratings further, after getting more clarity on the macroeconomic repercussions of the sanctions.