Apple to pause sales of products in Russia in response to Ukraine invasion

Apple has joined a long list of major companies to shun Russia as global outrage over the invasion of Ukraine continues.

Apple has announced a halt on the sale of all its products in Russia, including iPhones and other tech products, in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The tech giant joins a growing list of major companies including Google, Nike, Ford and Harley-Davidson that are shunning the country by stopping sales.

“We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country,” Apple said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence.

“We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis.”

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🚨 Apple suspending sales of iPhones and other products in Russia and removing RT and Sputnik from App Store. Statement: pic.twitter.com/nwxojtgqlH

— James Titcomb (@jamestitcomb) March 1, 2022

The move means all Apple product sales in Russia will be paused, along with exports into its Russian sales channel.

Apple Pay has been limited in Russia, and the state-owned RT and Sputnik news apps are no longer available to download outside the country, AFP reports.

For the safety of Ukraine’s citizens, the tech company has also disabled live traffic and “live incidents” in Apple Maps in Ukraine. It follows Google, which similarly restricted its Maps feature in Ukraine.

“We will continue to evaluate the situation and are in communication with relevant governments on the actions we are taking. We join all those around the world who are calling for peace,” Apple said.

Apple joins a growing list of companies pausing or ending operations in Russia in response to President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Picture: Mikhail Klimentyev / Sputnik / AFP

The announcement came after Ukraine’s digital minister Mykhailo Fedorov made a direct appeal to Apple chief executive Tim Cook on Friday as he rallied global support amid the continued violence.

“I appeal to you … to stop supplying Apple services and products to the Russian Federation, including blocking access to the Apple Store!” Mr Fedorov wrote in a letter posted on Twitter on Friday.

“We need your support — in 2022, modern technology is perhaps the best answer to the tanks, multiple rocket launchers (hrad) and missiles.”

Mr Fedorov today called on Apple to go a step further and “block AppStore access in Russia”.

“They kill our children, now kill their access!” he tweeted on Wednesday.

I’ve contacted @tim_cook, Apple's CEO, to block the Apple Store for citizens of the Russian Federation, and to support the package of US government sanctions! If you agree to have the president-killer, then you will have to be satisfied with the only available site Russia 24. pic.twitter.com/b5dm78g2vS

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 25, 2022

Other tech firms, including Facebook, TikTok and Microsoft, have already moved to limit the reach of Russian state media on their platforms amid accusations Moscow is pushing misinformation about the invasion.

Web monitoring group NetBlocks says Twitter and Facebook are now “largely unusable” in Russia after they were hit with access restrictions.

Many governments, banks, sporting organisations and a range of companies, including in the mining, commodities and energy sectors, have shunned Russia or imposed tough sanctions as the global fallout continues from the violence in Ukraine.

Nike said its products were no longer available to purchase online in Russia while motor companies, including Ford, said Russian operations would be suspended.

Originally published as Apple to pause sales of products in Russia in response to Ukraine invasion