Apple Inc. stopped its iPhone and other premium technology products in Russia after it invaded Ukraine. The company said that it stands with all those who have suffered from this violence.
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As per Bloomberg News, before pausing sales, the tech giant had stopped exporting its products into the sales channel of Russia last week. The company is also removing the Sputnik news and RT News applications from its App Stores from locations outside Russia. It has disabled the live incident features and traffic in Ukraine for the safety measures of Ukrainian citizens.
A statement released by Apple said that it was deeply concerned with the Ukraine invasion by Russia. It supported humanitarian efforts by providing aid and whatever it could do to help the refugee crisis.
The action resulted from pleas to Apple Inc. to stop selling its products in Russia. Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said that this move could turn the Russian Youth against the country’s invasion. Fedorov also called on Apple to close its local App Store, which Apple has not taken any step so far. For several years Apple operated an online store that was Russia specific and the App Store tailored for the country.
Earlier, Apple had stopped sales to Turkey last year because of currency fluctuations and economic turmoil. The current step is rare by the world’s most valuable company, and it will isolate 145 million people in Russia.
Before recouping some of its losses, Apple’s stock price fell to intraday lows after the news. The stock fell 1.2%, closing at $163.20. Cupertino-based Apple Inc. has also started to limit its Apple Pay service and offerings on its online platform in Russia.
The Apple online store sold iPhones, iPads, Air Pods, Macs, and other products directly to consumers. The company had recently opened a business office in Russia, and this month, it posted half a dozen job listings in Moscow.
Another iconic brand, Nike Inc. also halted sales in Russia, and it said that it could not guarantee delivery of goods to customers. HP Inc. the largest PC supplier to Russia, also stopped exports last week. Last week, Russia invaded Ukraine, shelling Ukrainian cities to capture the capital Kyiv.
Apple said that it would continuously monitor the situation and communicate with the government on the actions it is taking. The company said it calls for peace along with others globally.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, tweeted that he was concerned about the situation in Ukraine and thinking of those people who are right now vulnerable.
