The Russian rouble is already accepted for settlements in Crimea, according to a report.

      A reporter for the TASS agency, until recently known as Itar-TASS, said the hotels and restaurants Simferopol, the capital of Crimea, accept roubles for payments although they still write out bills in hryvnas, which is the Ukrainian currency.

      The rouble is set to become the official currency on the breakaway peninsula on Monday after Russia passed a constitutional law to incorporate Crimea and signed treaties with its representatives last week.

      The move has been condemned by the West, with the EU and the US imposing a raft of sanctions on individuals and freezing military cooperation.

      In particular, the EU suspended bilateral talks with the Russian Federation on visa matters as well as talks with the Russian Federation on a comprehensive new Agreement which would replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.