Microsoft Pulls Its Products From Sale in Russia
Microsoft is not stopping at actively supporting Ukraine in the fight against cyber attacks and helping refugees. The company has stopped selling new products and services across Russia.
Microsoft is pulling its products and services from Russia. Chairman Brad Smith made the announcement on the company's official blog, where he condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine.
"Along with the rest of the world, we are horrified, angered and saddened by the images and news of the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia."
Microsoft to help Ukraine
Even earlier the Redmond giant had announced some steps, but then it was more about ensuring the safety of its employees, supporting the organization and fighting cyber attacks and "state-sponsored disinformation".
Truth be told, Microsoft has already boasted of taking "actions against Russian agents positioning, damaging or disrupting more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial organizations." In addition, the company has engaged its UN and Microsoft Philanthropies teams to work with the Red Cross to help refugees by providing technical and financial support.
Xbox not for Russia
However, now the company will not limit itself to preventing hostile actions and helping in Ukraine itself.
- Microsoft will stop selling new products in Russia, including Xbox consoles and related services.
- In addition, the company is working closely with the U.S., U.K. and European Union governments in implementing restrictions, and is "suspending many aspects of its operations" within Russian Federation. Indeed, Smith and the rest of Microsoft's board believe that adopting a united front and taking tangible action is the best way to help Ukraine:
"We believe that our assistance to Ukraine is most effective when we take tangible steps in coordination with decisions made by their governments, and we will implement additional measures as the situation develops."
Microsoft is not the only representative of the tech and video game industry that has openly pledged aid to Ukraine. In one way or another, Russian actions have been condemned by Intel, AMD, Apple, Volvo AB, CD Projekt, TSMC, 11 bit studios, The Pokemon Company, Electronic Arts, Netflix and ESL, among others. The sanctions have also hit local Steam users.
