Ukraine Asks Apple For Support To Block Sales And Close App Stores In Russia

JAKARTA - The conflict between Russia and Ukraine seems to be heating up, including in the business sector. Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykhailo Fedorov urged Apple to stop selling products in Russia and close the App Store in the country.

Fedorov made the request in a letter he posted on his official Twitter, addressed to Apple's Chief Executive Officer, Tim Cook.

In addition to asking Apple to stop selling products, Fedorov also said Apple should support US sanctions against Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine.

I've contacted @tim_cook, Apple's CEO, to block the Apple Store for citizens of the Russian Federation, and to support the package of US government sanctions! If you agree to have the president-killer, then you will have to be satisfied with the only available site Russia 24. pic.twitter.com/b5dm78g2vS

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 25, 2022

“I appeal to you and I am sure that you will not only listen, but also do everything possible to protect Ukraine, Europe and, finally, the entire democratic world from bloody authoritarian aggression to stop supplying Apple services and products to the Russian Federation, including block access to the App Store,” Fedorov said in the letter.

Fedorov concludes his letter to Cook, with what Ukraine hopes will happen if Apple withdraws from Russia.

"We are sure that such an action will motivate the youth and active population of Russia to proactively stop this shameful military aggression," Fedorov said.

Cook has previously said that Apple is doing all it can for its team in Ukraine and will support humanitarian efforts, but the company has not publicly responded to Fedorov's request.

According to Bloomberg, Saturday, February 26, Apple currently operates an online store in Russia that sells iPhones, Macs, iPads, AirPods, and other products directly to consumers.

The US tech giant also sells software and services locally and operates the Russian version of the App Store. The company recently added a feature to its iPhone software to highlight apps developed in Russia to users of its devices.

Russia began enacting a law last year requiring tech companies such as Apple, Google and Meta to have a physical presence within the country.

As previously reported, Russia launched a full-scale military offensive in Ukraine on Thursday morning, entering the country from three sides and striking by land, air and sea.

The country led by Vladimir Putin has bombed major cities in Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, which was bombed with missiles on Friday morning.

In response to the invasion, the US government and its allies have launched new sanctions against Russia to block its access to exports in hopes of limiting its military and technological capabilities. In addition, the sanctions target Russian oligarchs by limiting their ability to do business in dollars, euros, pounds and yen.