Turkey is trying to attract more Russian tourists by expanding its use of Mir , Russia ‘ s domestic payment system , as it seeks to circumvent obstacles created by Western sanctions . Turkey this year wants to boost tourism revenues and bring them to pre – pandemic levels , to revive an economy hit hard by the Turkish lira devaluation crisis . This is easier said than done , because Turkey , according to DW , relies heavily on Russian energy , trade and tourism .
In 2019 , the trade exchange between the two countries reached 26 . 3 billion dollars while Russia is also one of the main energy suppliers for Turkey . Turkey , a NATO member , opposes Western sanctions on Russia in principle and has not joined them . It wants to maintain good relations with both Russia and Ukraine , amid a deepening economic crisis in the country , with inflation reaching its highest level in 20 years , through rising energy and grain costs .
This is why tourism revenues are seen as vital to deficit reduction , but restrictions on card payments and flight operations due to sanctions have sparked fears of a decline in Russian tourism in Turkey . However , Turkey may have found a solution . Russians can pay with Mir cards .
US card giants Mastercard and Visa have suspended banking transactions for Russian citizens as part of US sanctions aimed at punishing President Vladimir Putin . But Turkey has a formula for allowing Russian tourists to travel to Turkey , bypassing the Visa and Mastercard suspensions . Russians in Turkey are able to access their funds through the Russian ” Mir ” payment system .
Russia created ” Mir ” ( Russian for ” peace ” or ” world “) in 2014 , fearing that Western sanctions against Russian banks and business people for annexing Crimea could block MasterCard and Visa transactions . ” Mir ” was later introduced in several foreign countries where Russians travel and live .
According to the Bank of Russia , Mir cards used for bank transfers are accepted throughout the Russian Federation and in 12 other countries , including Armenia , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Belarus , Vietnam and Cyprus . At the end of 2021 , the number of ” Mir ” cards issued reached 113 . 6 million .