Visa and MasterCard have blocked payment services to customers of several Russian banks without warning. The decision by the two American credit card groups came after Washington's decision to implement sanctions against Russia in the context of the Ukraine crisis. A move that has hit the customers of AB Rossiya, the bank subject to US sanctions, and the Sobinbank branch.
Russian Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Moiseev said this morning that he did not expect a major immediate impact from the West's announced sanctions on Russia's financial sector over the Crimea crisis.
Tonight, European heads of government added 12 new names to the list of Russian personalities whose assets will be frozen, which now numbers 33.
European leaders have also decided that if Russia, after annexing Crimea to the Federation, tries to extend its influence to other areas of Ukraine, in the east and south of the country, the EU will impose further sanctions.
Meanwhile, the number one of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, said that for now Russia will avoid reprisals against the United States.
