According to a company statement from Apple, the tech giant has halted sales of its physical products in Russia following the Ukraine invasion. This proceed is Apple’s most recent step after it imposed limitations for Apple Pay in Russia.
Apple has further stated that it has stopped all exports into their sales channel in the country in response to the violence taking place. The company has also said that it will “continue to evauluate the situation”, and that it is in communication with governments of affected countries.
Apple’s Full Statement
Below you can read the full statement released by Apple:
“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, and doing all we can to support our teams in the region.
We have taken a number of actions in response to the invasion. We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been limited. RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside Russia. And we have disabled both traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens.
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’s public statement follows an open letter published by Ukranian Prime Minister, Mykhalio Fedorov, where he pleaded with Apple to cut Russia off from its products, services, and App store. In Mykhalio’s letter, he stated that he is “sure that such actions will motivate youth and the active population of Russia to proactively stop the disgraceful military aggression.”
