Amid the fast-moving situation in conflict-hit Ukraine, Apple has released a statement outlining various moves it has made in recent days in response to Russia’s attack on the country.
Those moves have included Apple temporarily halting the sales of its products through its online store for Russian customers, as well as ceasing to export its products to other sales channels in Russia, and pulling the Russian news providers RT and Sputnik from the App Store.
Apple products no longer being available to buy in Russia had already been reported by the country’s media outlets and locals prior to the Cupertino company’s confirmation.
Apple said in its statement: “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.”
Apple added that it would “continue to evaluate the situation”, and remained in dialogue with relevant governments on the steps it was taking, concluding: “We join all those around the world who are calling for peace.”
The tech giant’s statement listing its measures comes a few days after the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov, sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, urging him to stop providing Russia with Apple services and products.
