VISA and MasterCard are currently in discussions with the Russian Central Bank on resuming operations within Russia.
RIA reports that the Central Bank of Russia will consider the conditions under which Visa and MasterCard can resume operations in the country.
The head of the banks' national payment system department said the two companies would have to get new licenses after leaving Russia in 2022.
"We didn't talk to them about it. They lost a pretty big market. I don't know if they want to come back, but we feel quite independent under the current conditions," she said.