Apple reacts Russia-Ukraine War. Apple has now joined the list of technology firms reacting to Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. In its most significant action yet, Apple halted sales of its entire product line in Russia immediately, according to Bloomberg.
The company’s decision to stop selling in the country has resulted in the Apple online store being closed down. Users attempting to purchase an Apple product from the Russian Apple Store are now greeted with a “Delivery Unavailable” message, according to MacRumors.
Apple has also made a statement to confirm the developments, and it stated that it had already stopped the export of its items to Russia. In addition, several of Apple’s services — including Apple Pay — have been severely limited in Russia. After removing RT News and Sputnik News applications from all outside App stores, Apple has also taken down live traffic data and live emergencies in Ukraine as a precautionary measure. As a result of this decision, Apple disabled live traffic data and live incidents in Ukraine as an immediate measure.
"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." https://t.co/zVh60Pls6N
— John Paczkowski (@JohnPaczkowski) March 1, 2022
Russia-Ukraine War: How the ban will affect Apple?
Despite the fact that Apple does not maintain its famous brick-and-mortar shops in Russia, it’s uncertain how this decision will affect offline purchases of Apple goods. Official Apple resellers run Apple’s offline sales in Russia. However, with Apple halting the export of its products to Russia, these stores may not be able to replenish their shelves if they run out of stock.
Apple’s decision to ban sales of its products in Russia comes barely a week after Ukraine’s vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote to Tim Cook, Apple CEO, and requested that he cease device sales in his country. The prime minister also instructed Apple to block Russian consumers from accessing the App Store.
I’ve contacted @tim_cook, Apple's CEO, to block the Apple Store for citizens of the Russian Federation, and to support the package of US government sanctions! If you agree to have the president-killer, then you will have to be satisfied with the only available site Russia 24. pic.twitter.com/b5dm78g2vS
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 25, 2022
Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to the crisis in Ukraine last week, stating that he was “deeply concerned” about it. He said the firm was attempting to assist Apple’s employees in Ukraine while also assisting local humanitarian efforts.
I am deeply concerned with the situation in Ukraine. We’re doing all we can for our teams there and will be supporting local humanitarian efforts. I am thinking of the people who are right now in harm’s way and joining all those calling for peace.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 25, 2022
Apple’s presence in Russia and the country’s population of 144 million people is a sizable market for the company. It remains to be seen how much of an impact Apple’s decision will have on its future prospects in Russia.
