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Microsoft Pauses Hardware and Software Sales to Russia

Microsoft on Friday announced that it will be halting all new sales to Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Microsoft President Brad Smith announced the move and said it's the next step the company is taking in condeming the actions of Russia. "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,"

Smith specified that the company was only halting new sales to Russia, and did not stipulate the status of already established contracts in the region.  

Further, Smith said the company had begun to take steps into severing business ties with Russia and Belarus, in accordance with governmental sanctions by the United States and European Union.

Friday's announcement comes after Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov tweeted directly to Microsoft and Sony on March 2, asking the two companies to halt gaming services to Russia and Belarus, and said he has privately reached out to 50 other gaming and tech companies asking them to do the same.

"We are sure that such actions will motivate the citizens of Russia to proactively stop the disgraceful military aggression,” said Federov in the tweeted message.

Earlier in the week Smith, posted a blog on how Microsoft was supporting Ukraine through its humanitarian and cybersecurity efforts. He reiterated that the company will continue to support the cyber defense of Ukraine and said that it helped thwart an attack on a major Ukrainian broadcaster this week.

Further, Microsoft is extending its assistance to those on the ground. "We are also continuing to mobilize our resources to help the people in Ukraine," said Smith. "Our Microsoft Philanthropies and UN Affairs teams are working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and multiple UN agencies to help refugees by providing technology and financial support for key NGOs and, where needed, we are defending these groups from ongoing cyberattacks."

About the Author

Chris Paoli (@ChrisPaoli5) is the associate editor for Converge360.

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