Apple pause its product sales in Russia after its invasion of Ukraine

In response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Apple has stopped sales of its products through the Apple Store in Russia. Apple has also restricted Apple Pay, suspended live traffic data on Apple Maps in Ukraine, and removed RT News and Sputnik News from its App Store outside of Russia.

Apple has been under pressure to act in recent days after other internet behemoths responded to Russia’s attack. According to CNBC, the event “highlights the difficult balancing act” that businesses face amid the crisis.

“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,” an Apple spokesperson told CNBC in a statement.

Apple’s decision to stop sales in Russia on Tuesday shows the difficulties that American companies are facing as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Companies are facing logistical problems, a dropping value of the Russian ruble and difficulties in getting Russian clients to pay after Western credit card services were restricted in the country.

Dell announced last week that it was suspending sales in Ukraine and Russia. According to a note on the company’s website, Nike has also stopped selling products in Russia. Ford announced the suspension of joint venture activities in Russia on Tuesday.