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The world\u2019s leading payment processors Visa and Mastercard have joined sanctions against Russia over its military invasion of Ukraine. The American companies announced suspension of operations in the Russian Federation although Russians will be able to use their cards inside the country.<\/strong><\/p>\n Payment firms Visa and Mastercard are suspending operations in Russia as part of the international response to its decision to invade Ukraine. The U.S.-based financial services corporations revealed Saturday they\u2019ll be working with clients and partners to terminate transactions through their systems.<\/p>\n Visa explained that once it takes the necessary steps, \u201call transactions initiated with Visa cards issued in Russia will no longer work outside the country and any Visa cards issued by financial institutions outside of Russia will no longer work within the Russian Federation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are compelled to act following Russia\u2019s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the unacceptable events that we have witnessed,\u201d stated Al Kelly, chief executive officer of Visa Inc. He also expressed regret about the consequences for Visa\u2019s Russian partners, clients and cardholders.<\/p>\n Mastercard is suspending services in Russia as well. \u201cFor more than a week, the world has watched the shocking and devastating events resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine,\u201d it said in a statement. Mastercard noted it had recently blocked a number of financial institutions from its payment network as required by regulatory bodies and elaborated:<\/p>\n Cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by the Mastercard network. And, any Mastercard issued outside of the country will not work at Russian merchants or ATMs.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n U.S. President Joe Biden has welcomed the decisions by Visa and Mastercard in a phone call with Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to a press release quoted by Reuters, he also emphasized the White House is increasing security, humanitarian, and economic assistance to Ukraine while working with the United States Congress to secure additional funding.<\/p>\n Visa and Mastercard\u2019s move comes after Zelensky urged the two payment processors to halt transactions of their credit and debit cards issued by Russian banks, according to Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Kyrylo Shevchenko. The Ukrainian head of state requested the measures hoping to increase the pressure on Moscow.<\/p>\n The latest development follows a suspension<\/a> of operations in Russia announced by major payment and remittance service providers such as Paypal, Revolut, Wise, and Remitly, among others. Since the beginning of the conflict, these platforms have been restricting access to their services for Russian users.<\/p>\n Sberbank, Russia\u2019s state-controlled and largest banking institution, was quoted by Tass as stating that the restrictions will not affect the operation of the Visa cards and Mastercards it issues in the country. Customers will be able to use them to make transfers in Russia, withdraw cash and pay in both physical and online Russian stores.<\/p>\n Domestic transactions in Russia are processed through the country\u2019s own National Payment Card System (NSPK<\/a>) which is independent from foreign networks. Amid similar tensions after the annexation of Crimea in 2014, Moscow also developed the System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS<\/a>), as an alternative to SWIFT<\/a>, and introduced Mir<\/a> cards after several Russian banks were denied services by Visa and Mastercard.<\/p>\nCard Payment Giants Visa and Mastercard Add to Pressure on Russia Over Ukraine War<\/h2>\n
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President Biden Welcomes Card Restrictions in Call With Ukraine\u2019s Zelensky<\/h2>\n