Asked By Fedorov, Qualcomm Stops Selling Its Products To Russian Companies

Eualcomm stops selling products to Russian companies. (photo: qualcomm screenshot)

JAKARTA – Chipmaker Qualcomm Inc announced on Wednesday, March 16 that it has stopped selling products to Russian companies. This is in accordance with the sanctions imposed by the US after Moscow invaded Ukraine, at the end of February.

The company's actions were disclosed by Senior Vice President of Government affairs, Nate Tibbits, in a tweet in response to comments by Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov.

Previously, Fedorov, had urged Tibbits to stop supplies to Russia. Fedorov said Qualcomm products were still available in Russia and "inadvertently allowed this country to kill thousands of Ukrainians."

In his reply, Tibbits said, "This is not true. Qualcomm has called for a peaceful resolution to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, made direct donations to aid organizations & matched employee contributions. We comply with US sanctions & laws do not sell products to Russian companies," said Tibbits, as quoted by Reuters.

Grateful for the move, Fedorov then suggested that the chipmaker could send its satellite phone to the rescue of Ukraine if it wanted to help the country.

Until the invasion has drawn the ire of Western countries and resulted in several US companies to stop operations in Russia. Meanwhile, Russia has called its actions in Ukraine a "special operation".

Revenue from Russia and Ukraine accounted for less than 1% of Qualcomm's total revenue so far. So for them it is not too problematic to stop their products from Russian companies.