Kyiv [Ukraine], March 6 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Saturday spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and discussed issues concerning security and financial support for Ukraine.
This is the second phone call between the two leaders this week. “As part of the constant dialogue, I had another conversation with @POTUS. The agenda included the issues of security, financial support for Ukraine, and the continuation of sanctions against Russia,” Zelensky said in a tweet.
The White House press pool said the conversation between Biden and Zelensky lasted about half an hour. On Thursday, Biden had received an update from Zelensky regarding the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. “President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine this evening to receive an update on the fire at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” said White House.
Earlier on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called Zelensky after Bennett discussed the situation in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a Saturday meeting in the Kremlin. (ANI)
US, allies raising costs on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine, says Biden
Washington [US], March 6 (ANI): US President Joe Biden spoke with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and highlighted the ongoing actions undertaken by the US and private industry to raise the costs on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. A White House statement said Biden noted his administration is surging security, humanitarian, and economic assistance to Ukraine and is working closely with Congress to secure additional funding.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke this evening with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. President Biden highlighted the ongoing actions undertaken by the United States, its allies and partners, and private industry to raise the costs on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine,” the statement said. Biden reiterated his concern about the recent Russian “attack” on a Ukrainian nuclear power plant, and he commended the skill and bravery of the Ukrainian operators who have kept the reactors in a safe condition.
The leaders also discussed the recent talks between Russia and Ukraine. The White House said Biden welcomed the decision this evening by Visa and Mastercard to suspend service in Russia.
Visa, Mastercard suspend operations in Russia
California [US], March 6 (ANI): Credit card and Payment giants Mastercard and Visa announced that they were suspending operations in Russia and that their cards issued by Russian banks will no longer work outside the country. “Effective immediately, Visa will work with its clients and partners within Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days. Once complete, all 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,” Visa said in a Saturday statement.
The company explained that its decision stems from the Ukraine crisis. “This war and the ongoing threat to peace and stability demand we respond in line with our values,” Al Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of Visa Inc., said as quoted in the release.
Mastercard also suspended network services in Russia over the latter’s special military operation in Ukraine. “This decision flows from our recent action to block multiple financial institutions from the Mastercard payment network, as required by regulators globally,” Mastercard said in a Saturday statement.
The company added that cards issued outside of Russia will not work at Russian merchants or ATMs.
Responding to the statement issued by the two companies, the Russian state-owned banking company said the suspension of Visa and Mastercard services in the country will not affect the use of cards issued by Russia’s Sberbank within the country. “International payment systems have decided to limit their work in Russia in the coming days. This decision will not affect the operation of Sberbank Visa and MasterCard cards within the country,” Sberbank said in a statement.
According to the release, Russian cardholders will be able to complete all transactions, such as cash withdrawals, money transfers and online payments as usual within the country. (ANI)
