Decision by several firms to limit payment systems in Russia leaves them without profitable market - Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed regret over the decision by a number of companies to limit the operation of their payment-processing systems in Russia.

"It is a great pity that several companies have made a decision about well-known restrictions, I think this will simply lead to them losing certain segments of the market, quite a profitable one," Putin said at a meeting with members of the Federation Council's house council.

"This is not our decision, we must protect our interests and we shall do this (create a national payment-processing system)," the Russian president added.

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