Microsoft suspends new sales in Russia

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - US-based multinational software company Microsoft announced Friday it has suspended all new sales of products and services in Russia amid the war in Ukraine.

Microsoft said it is coordinating closely with the governments of the US, EU and UK, adding that it is stopping many aspects of its business in Russia in compliance with governmental sanctions decisions.

"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," President and Vice Chair Brad Smith said in a statement.

"We believe we are most effective in aiding Ukraine when we take concrete steps in coordination with the decisions being made by these governments and we will take additional steps as this situation continues to evolve," he added.

Microsoft said it continues to work proactively to help cybersecurity officials in Ukraine against Russian attacks.

"Since the war began, we have acted against Russian positioning, destructive or disruptive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organizations," Smith said.

"We have also acted against cyberattacks targeting several additional civilian sites. We have publicly raised our concerns that these attacks against civilians violate the Geneva Convention," he added.

Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.