{"id":423487,"date":"2022-03-30T00:24:04","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T21:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/dem-pols-demand-visa-mastercard-halt-business-in-pro-kremlin-belarus\/"},"modified":"2022-03-30T00:24:04","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T21:24:04","slug":"dem-pols-demand-visa-mastercard-halt-business-in-pro-kremlin-belarus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dem-pols-demand-visa-mastercard-halt-business-in-pro-kremlin-belarus\/","title":{"rendered":"#Dem pols demand Visa, Mastercard halt business in pro-Kremlin Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dd1c510db8\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dd1c510db8\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/dem-pols-demand-visa-mastercard-halt-business-in-pro-kremlin-belarus\/#%E2%80%9CDem_pols_demand_Visa_Mastercard_halt_business_in_pro-Kremlin_Belarus%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Dem pols demand Visa, Mastercard halt business in pro-Kremlin Belarus&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CDem_pols_demand_Visa_Mastercard_halt_business_in_pro-Kremlin_Belarus%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Dem pols demand Visa, Mastercard halt business in pro-Kremlin Belarus&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>A group of seven Democratic lawmakers \u2014 including Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres \u2014 are demanding Mastercard and Visa suspend all business operations in pro-Kremlin Belarus, which Russian troops have been using as a staging ground in their brutal war on Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Torres \u2014 along with Reps. Steve Cohen, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jake Auchincloss, Jim Costa and Andre Carson \u2014 sent a letter to the CEOs of the credit card giants Wednesday and blasted them for their complicity in the war.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBelarus\u2019s role in Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine is clear,\u201d the letter, exclusively obtained by the Post, said. \u201cAmerican and Ukrainian officials assert that Belarus\u2019s leadership has allowed Belarus to serve as one of the staging grounds for Russia\u2019s military campaign in Ukraine. Moreover, injured Russian troops have been evacuated to Belarusian hospitals. Belarus is as much at fault as Russia in this war.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mastercard and Visa, like many other major corporations, suspended business operations with Russia in early March \u2014 but the two have yet to take action against Belarus, whose dictator Alexander Lukashenko is known for being a bootlicker to Russian President Vladimir Putin.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/ritchie-torres-01.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres was one of the signers of the letter.\" class=\"wp-image-21706917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/ritchie-torres-01.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/ritchie-torres-01.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/ritchie-torres-01.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres was one of the signers of the letter.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Robert Miller<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/putin-lukashenko.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is considered a close ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin.\" class=\"wp-image-21706924\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/putin-lukashenko.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/putin-lukashenko.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/putin-lukashenko.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is considered a close ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">EPA\/MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV \/ KREMLIN POOL \/ SPUTNIK<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThis is a good first step, but we believe more should be done,\u201d wrote the pols, who are requesting a formal response from both companies by April 20. \u201cWe would note that on March 6th American Express announced that they would suspend operations in Russia and Belarus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, the House of Representatives almost unanimously passed legislation to revoke normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus. The lawmakers insisted in their letter that \u201cthe private sector can also play a significant role in addressing bad actors\u2019 role in this unjustified war.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The U.S. also renewed sanctions against Lukashenko and expanded them to include his family. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has blasted the Eastern European strongman\u2019s \u201csupport and facilitation of the Russian Federation\u2019s invasion.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/visa-mastercard-01.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Both Visa and Mastercard suspended business in Russia, but not Belarus.\" class=\"wp-image-21707190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/visa-mastercard-01.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/visa-mastercard-01.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/visa-mastercard-01.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Both Visa and Mastercard suspended business in Russia, but not Belarus.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe unprovoked and unjust invasion of Ukraine by Russia is among the gravest international crises in recent history,\u201d the letter said. \u201cWe believe and strongly urge you to consider suspending your services in Belarus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Visa and Mastercard did not im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely respond to the Post\u2019s request for comment.\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/03\/29\/dem-pols-demand-visa-mastercard-halt-business-in-pro-kremlin-belarus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Dem pols demand Visa, Mastercard halt business in pro-Kremlin Belarus&#8221; A group of seven Democratic lawmakers \u2014 including Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres \u2014 are demanding Mastercard and Visa suspend all business operations in pro-Kremlin Belarus, which Russian troops have been using as a staging ground in their brutal war on Ukraine. Torres \u2014 along with&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":423488,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/03\/belarus-torres-comp.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[77423,77456,127277,74257,10701,82187,4975,71523,70868,126128,73234],"class_list":["post-423487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-mastercard","tag-visa","tag-3-29-22","tag-belarus","tag-democrats","tag-ritchie-torres","tag-russia","tag-sanctions","tag-ukraine","tag-ukraine-war","tag-vladimir-putin"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=423487"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423487\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/423488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=423487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=423487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=423487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}