Update on Conflict in Ukraine
In response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, several tech companies have taken significant actions to support Ukraine and limit their operations in Russia and Belarus.
The crisis hits close to home for many tech teams, as they employ Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking members. To offer assistance, these companies have provided evacuation assistance, financial aid, and mental health support to their Ukrainian team members and their communities.
One of the first companies to announce such measures was Cisco Systems. CEO Chuck Robbins stated that halting operations in Russia and Belarus was the "right decision." Cisco is offering support to Ukrainian customers by enabling auto-renewals on software or services at no charge, providing one free year of Webex meetings, and free calls to Ukraine.
IBM has also suspended all business activities in Russia and is supporting Ukrainian employees with relocation and financial aid. IBM employees worldwide are encouraged to donate to humanitarian organizations, and the company has donated significant funds to aid efforts in neighboring countries hosting refugees.
Intel and AMD have halted processor sales in Russia as part of the broader industry response to the conflict. Cloud-service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Dell, HPE, IBM Cloud, Oracle, and VMware have stopped selling to new or servicing existing customers in Russia, severely restricting their market presence there.
Cybersecurity firms such as Mandiant have formed task forces to monitor and address cybersecurity threats exacerbated by the conflict, noting the role of Russian-based cybercriminal groups like Conti ransomware in the crisis.
Other IT companies, beyond those already known, are taking similar steps. The company's brand is no longer represented in Russia and Belarus, and operations in these countries have been ceased. The safety of employees, customers, and the service sustainability has been the top priority in the past weeks.
Employees from Russia and Belarus have been relocated to offices in Germany, the UK, and Cyprus. Sales of products in Russia and Belarus have been halted, and remaining assets in Russia have been handed over to an independent local company.
The war in Ukraine is condemned, and heinous crimes and atrocities are being denounced. There is unity among the team regarding the war, with everyone sharing a common feeling of grief. The situation in Ukraine is causing concern, with calls for peace, an immediate ceasefire, and the rescue of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
The decision to cease operations was made in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The company is focusing on fighting fraud, stopping the flow of dirty money from corrupt regimes, and preventing such regimes from becoming perpetrators of crimes. This statement will be kept updated.
Politics and general news have been dominated by the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, with several tech companies, including Cisco Systems, IBM, Intel, AMD, and numerous IT companies, taking significant actions to support Ukraine and limit their operations in Russia and Belarus. Crime-and-justice issues have also been raised, with cybersecurity firms monitoring and addressing cybersecurity threats exacerbated by the conflict, and calls for the rescue of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
