According to the US "Consumer News and Business" reported on March 1, Apple has stopped selling its products in Russia through the Apple Store. Apple announced the decision on Tuesday after more and more Western businesses cut ties with Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War. All Apple products in online Apple Stores in Russia are listed as "not available for purchase or home delivery" in the country.
On Tuesday, Russian users still had access to Apple's online store, but when trying to buy an iPhone, the store showed that the products could not be delivered to their doors. Apple does not operate any Apple brick-and-mortar stores in Russia. Apple also said it had removed Russian state-owned media RT News and Sputnik News from App Stores around the world except Russia.
An Apple spokesperson told CNBC in a statement: "We have taken a series of actions in response to the 'intrusion.'" We suspended the sale of all products in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports to our sales channels in Russia. Apple Pay and other services are also restricted. The App Store for countries outside of Russia is no longer available for downloads from Russia Today and russian satellite news agencies. For the safety of Ukrainian citizens, we have turned off the Ukrainian Map and Current Events features. ”
The West has taken a series of boycotts of Russia over the Russo-Ukrainian war, with Apple suspending sales in Russia, Western credit card services being restricted in Russia, businesses being challenged with logistical restrictions, the depreciation of the Russian ruble, and getting Russian customers to pay.
Last week, Dell said it suspended sales in Ukraine and Russia. A message posted on Nike's website said the company had also stopped selling products in Russia. Ford also said Tuesday it suspended joint venture operations in Russia.
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