Visa, American Express, and Mastercard suspend operations in Russia

Major global financial services like Visa, American Express, and MasterCard have confirmed in separate statements that they will cease business in Russia. Clients will be able to use their cards for purchases within Russia until their expiration dates. However, clients will be unable to use their Russian cards abroad or to make international payments online. Furthermore, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards issued outside of the country will no longer be accepted in Russia.

Several Russian banks have already stated that they will start issuing cards that use the Chinese UnionPay system in conjunction with Russia’s Mir payment network.