American Express suspends operations in Russia, Belarus

US-based multinational payment card services company American Express suspended its operations in Russia and Belarus, joining a vast list of Western firms amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

"As a result, globally issued American Express cards will no longer work at merchants or ATMs in Russia," the company said in a statement on Sunday.

"Additionally, cards issued locally in Russia by Russian banks will no longer work outside of the country on the American Express global network," it added.

The company said it has pledged $1 million in aid to organizations that provide immediate and long-term relief to people in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

All business operations are also suspended in Belarus, it added.

Other US-based multinational payment card services companies Visa and Mastercard, in addition to online payment platform PayPal, also announced over the weekend suspension of their operations in Russia.