Microsoft halts new products sales, services in Russia

Madrid Desk, Mar 4 (EFE).- Microsoft will suspend all new sales of its products and services in Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine, the company said Friday.

The multinational added that it would work closely with the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom to stop “many aspects” of its business in Russia in line with tough sanctions the West has imposed on Moscow over President Vladimir Putin’s decision to attack Ukraine.

“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 and vice chair, Brad Smith, said in a statement.

Microsoft said it would continue to “proactively” help Ukrainian officials defend against Russian cyber attacks.

“Since the war began, we have acted against Russian positioning, destructive or disruptive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organizations.

“We have also acted against cyberattacks targeting several additional civilian sites. We have publicly raised our concerns that these attacks against civilians violate the Geneva Convention.”

Microsoft is the latest in a slew of Western companies that have announced an end to Russian operations following similar moves from Ikea, Boeing, Airbus, Shell and Apple. EFE

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