American Express has announced it is suspending “all operations” in Russia and Belarus.

The payments company said it had taken the decision in the “light of Russia’s ongoing, unjustified attack on the people of Ukraine”.

Visa and Mastercard have also announced they are taking similar action.

Ukraine invasion: Live updates

Amex said “globally issued” cards will no longer work at shops or ATMs in Russia.

Cards issued “locally in Russia by Russian banks” will stop working outside the country.

The firm is “also terminating all business operations in Belarus”.

Its latest measures are in addition to “halting our relationships with banks in Russia impacted by the US and international government sanctions”.

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Amex admitted its decision would affect colleagues and customers in the two countries, but said one of its company values is to “do what is right”.

It said in a statement: “This principle has guided us throughout this difficult crisis and will continue to do so, as we stand by our colleagues, customers, and the international community in hoping for a peaceful resolution to this crisis.”

Key developments:
• Fresh attempt to evacuate Mariupol fails as both sides blame each other
• Ukrainians count the human cost of the invasion
• ‘Putin must fail’ – PM’s six-point plan for resolving crisis ahead of talks with world leaders
• Visa and Mastercard announce suspension of operations in Russia
• China warns US not to ‘add fuel to the flames’ as Russia continues attack

A large number of high-profile companies have distanced themselves from Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.

PayPal has closed down its services, with chief executive Dan Schulman saying the company “stands with the international community in condemning Russia’s violent military aggression”.

Puma and IKEA have closed stores, Apple and Microsoft have halted product sales, and Hollywood studios have postponed the release of new movies.

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