Apple Inc. announced on late Tuesday that it halted product sales in Russia as Western businesses increasingly cut ties with the country.
Accordingly, iPhone and other products on the online Russian storefront are now unavailable for purchase or delivery. The company does not operate any physical Apple stores in the country.
Consequently, Apple Inc. outlined other actions in response to the escalating invasion. The firm said that it takes a stand with all of the people who suffered due to the violence.
Subsequently, the tech giant removed Russian state-controlled outlets from its App Store.
This move discontinued RT News and Sputnik News applications worldwide except for Russia. At the same time, it stopped all exports into its sales channels in the country.
Moreover, it has disabled traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety measure for Ukrainian citizens.
Remarkably, Apple Inc.’s suspension of sales in Russia highlighted American firms’ challenges during the Russian-Ukraine conflict.
Correspondingly, businesses grappled with the problems in logistics and the falling value of the Russian ruble.
It would also be harder to get Russian customers to pay amid its limited Western credit card service.
Apple Inc.’s decision came after Ukraine pleaded for the company to stop selling products in Russia.
Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov mentioned that the move could help turn Russian youth against the invasion.
Notably, this is not the first time that the iPhone maker has cut off a country. Last year, Apple Inc. discontinued sales briefly in Turkey due to the economic turmoil and currency fluctuation.
Meanwhile, the move sent its stock to a low of 1.16% to $163.20 per share in regular trading.
Apple Inc. Joins Corporate Wave Shunning Russia
Apple Inc.’s move followed other best-known companies in a corporate wave denouncing Russia’s aggressiveness towards Ukraine.
For instance, online search giant Alphabet Inc.’s Google removed Russian state publishers from their news.
Likewise, automaker Ford Motor Company suspended joint venture operations in Russia.
Dell Technologies Inc., a leading computer company, also announced to suspend sales in the country. Then, Motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson Inc. halted shipments of its bikes.
Nike Inc., an iconic US footwear company, also stopped selling products in Russia.
Furthermore, Exxon Mobil Corp. mentioned that it would discontinue operations in Moscow. It also cited that it would exit the Sakhalin-1 venture.
The natural gas firm followed the steps of British energy giants Shell Plc and BP, Russia’s biggest foreign investor.
The number of companies taking a stance significantly increases as rockets strike major cities in Ukraine.
