WASHINGTON (AFP) – Microsoft is halting new sales of its products and services in Russia, the tech giant announced on Friday, in the latest fallout over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Western governments, sporting organisations and big companies have cut Russia off or dealt it punishing sanctions over the internationally condemned attack on its neighbour.
The United States- (US) based company behind software that runs on over one billion devices, said it would “suspend all new sales of Microsoft products and services” in Russia, but declined to elaborate on how the policy would be applied.
“Like the rest of the world, we are horrified, angered and saddened by the images and news coming from the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia”, Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post.
Apple has already moved to halt sales of its products in Russia, while US-based social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have taken steps against the spread of Russian state-linked media in response to the invasion.
Microsoft said it has also taken action over harmful cyberattacks against the Ukrainian state.
“Since the war began, we have acted against Russian positioning, destructive or disruptive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organisations,” Smith’s blog said.
“We have also acted against cyberattacks targetting several additional civilian sites,” he added.
Ukraine’s government has been seeking help from all quarters and has taken to Twitter to individually name companies that it wants to cut off business with Russia.
