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Russia Ukraine War: Mastercard, Visa suspend operations in Russia after invasion

Since the invasion of Ukraine, the value of the Russian currency, the ruble, has plunged by more than a third to a record low.

India TV News Desk Edited by: India TV News Desk New Delhi Published on: March 06, 2022 7:46 IST
Russia Ukraine War
Image Source : AP

Logos for MasterCard and Visa credit cards at the entrance of a New York coffee shop

Highlights

  • Mastercard said cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by its network
  • Any Mastercard issued outside Russia will not work at Russian stores or ATMs
  • Visa said it’s working with clients and partners in Russia to cease all Visa transactions

In the latest blow to Russia’s financial system after its invasion of Ukraine, Mastercard and Visa said they are suspending their operations in the country. Mastercard said cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by its network and any Mastercard issued outside the country will not work at Russian stores or ATMs.

“We don’t take this decision lightly,” Mastercard said in a statement, adding that it made the move after discussions with customers, partners and governments.

Visa said it’s working with clients and partners in Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days.

“We are compelled to act following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the unacceptable events that we have witnessed,” Visa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Al Kelly said in a statement.

The twin suspensions were announced within 16 minutes of each other, and they followed a private video call earlier in the day between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and US lawmakers. During that conversation, Zelenskyy “asked us to turn off MasterCard and Visa for Russia,” Rep. Brad Sherman, a Democrat from California, tweeted. “I agree,” he added before Mastercard and Visa made their announcements.

Earlier in the week, Visa and Mastercard had announced more limited moves to block financial institutions from the networks that serve as arteries for the payments system. Russian people have already been hit hard by heavy sanctions and financial penalties imposed by the US government and others.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, the value of the Russian currency, the ruble, has plunged by more than a third to a record low. That’s pushing up inflation for Russian households, and all the fear has helped cause long lines at ATMs.

Many other companies around the world have also made moves to increase the financial pressure on Russia and its people because of its attack on Ukraine. Some are selling their stakes in Russian companies, such as energy giant BP, while others like Harley-Davidson halted product shipments to the country.

“This war and the ongoing threat to peace and stability demand we respond in line with our values,” Visa’s Kelly said.

The moves by Mastercard and Visa could make real differences to their bottom lines. Russia accounted for 4% of all of Visa’s net revenue in its last fiscal year, including money made from domestic and cross-border activities. Ukraine accounted for about 1%, Visa said in a filing with US securities regulators this week.

Mastercard said in its own filing that about 4% of its net revenues during 2021 came from business conducted within, into and out of Russia. Another roughly 2% was related to Ukraine.

(With inputs from AP)

Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: Israeli PM Bennett meets Putin in Moscow to discuss Ukraine crisis

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