Apple pauses sales in Russia and stops all exports

Apple on Tuesday announced it has paused all sales in Russia following officials in Ukraine urging the tech giant to isolate Russia in light of the invasion of Ukraine. (Ted Shaffrey/AP)

Ted Shaffrey / Ted Shaffrey

Apple has paused all sales inside of Russia and will stop all exports into the country in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

The move represents the most dramatic action a Big Tech company has taken to economically squeeze Russia. It comes as governments in the U.S. and Europe along with a slew of companies have acted to isolate Russia as it escalates its conflict in Ukraine.

An Apple spokesman on Tuesday confirmed to NPR that in addition to halting the sale of all Apple products inside of Russia, the company’s popular payment service, Apple Pay, is being limited in the country.