What you need to know
- Microsoft announced that it will suspend the sale of all of its products and services in Russia.
- The move is part of a continued effort by Microsoft during the war in Ukraine.
- Microsoft President Brad Smith called Russia's invasion of Ukraine "unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful."
Microsoft will suspend the sale of all of its products and services in Russia. The company's president Brad Smith announced the move today, March 4, 2022.
"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," said Smith.
This is the latest move by Microsoft during the war in Ukraine. Smith discussed fighting cyberattacks and disinformation during the war in Ukraine earlier this week.
Smith added that Microsoft is working with the governments of the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom to stop "many aspects" of its business in Russia. These stoppages are in compliance with governmental sanctions.
"We believe we are most effective in aiding Ukraine when we take concrete steps in coordination with the decisions being made by these governments and we will take additional steps as this situation continues to evolve," said Smith.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Microsoft has acted against Russian moves against 20 Ukrainian financial sector, government, and IT organizations. Smith emphasized that the protection of Ukraine's cybersecurity is almost certainly Microsoft's "single most impactful area of work" during the war.
Microsoft continues to work with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and multiple UN agencies to help refugees.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Intel and AMD have also halted shipments and sales of processors to Russia in light of new sanctions.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more details.
