The financial services corporations move to cut all Russia-issued bank cards from international transactions International card companies Mastercard and Visa have announced they are ceasing operations and disconnecting all Russian banks from their payment systems due to sanctions related to Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

None of the country’s corporate majors have cut ties with Russia over Ukraine conflict “We were reminded that each company has the right to independently determine its strategy in the Russian market,” one of attendees at a meeting in the Elysee Palace, said on Saturday, as quoted by Le Figaro.

Defense Minister Peter Dutton likened China’s situation with Taiwan to Russia’s conflict with Ukraine Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton refused to rule out arming Taiwan against China in the same way that the West has armed Ukraine against Russia, claiming Australia would do whatever it can to “deter China from acts of aggression.”