On April 1, Dmitry Peskov, the Spokesman for the Russian presidency, addressed concerns regarding the acceptance of Mir cards and efforts to address the repercussions of pressure from the United States on Russia and Armenia.

Speaking with journalists, Peskov emphasized that despite the external pressures exerted by the US, Russia and Armenia remain committed to resolving the situation and mitigating the associated risks.

Peskov clarified that ongoing US pressure does not deter collaborative efforts between Russia and Armenia to address the challenges posed. He affirmed the continuation of discussions and actions aimed at compensating for the damages incurred due to the unprecedented American pressure.

Notably, the developments follow the official notification received by the National Payment Card System (NPCS) from the Armenian Payment System (ArCa) on March 19. According to the notification, ArCa member banks would cease servicing Mir cards from March 30, 2024. Notably, VTB Armenia Bank, a subsidiary of VTB PJSC, would fully serve Mir cards within the republic, ensuring the continued functionality of Russian cards in Armenia despite the changes.