Microsoft has announced that it is stopping selling its new products and services in Russia, presumably including Xbox-related products like consoles and games.
The news comes as a response to Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, which has seen hundreds of Ukrainian civilians killed in bombings and more. Microsoft said it was “angry and saddened” by what it was witnessing happening in Ukraine at the hands of Russia and as a result it was shutting down many aspects of its business with Russia.
In addition, we are working closely and working closely with the governments of the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, and we are shutting down many aspects of our business in Russia in accordance with the decisions government sanctions. We believe we are most effective in assisting Ukraine when we take concrete steps in coordination with the decisions of these governments and we will take additional steps as the situation continues. continuing developments. ”
Microsoft said its “most impactful area of activity” is protecting Ukraine’s cybersecurity, and it will continue to work hard to help Ukraine’s cybersecurity officials fight cyberattacks. of Russia. It also said it had acted against Russia’s positioning and destructive or disruptive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organizations since the war began.
“Like so many others, we stand with Ukraine in calling for the restoration of peace, respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, and the defense of its people,” Smith wrote.
Axios reporter Stephen Totilo reached out to Microsoft to ask if today’s news applies to existing digital sales and paying users of Microsoft services like Xbox Live. Microsoft declined to comment.
I’m curious if this means Microsoft will apply to digital sales (I assume it does) and if users who pay for Microsoft services and games (such as subscribers) Minecraft or Xbox Live) is cut out (I assume not). But Microsoft declined to comment further
– Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) March 4, 2022
This news from Microsoft arrives just a few days later Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov publicly called on Sony and Microsoft cut off Russia from respective online game services immediately in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sony has not taken a public stance or issued a statement regarding this fight at the time of this writing.
