Apple CEO Tim Cook has addressed an email to its Ukrainian employees in response to Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, assuring them that the company is doing everything it can to assist them.
The email emphasizes that Apple will match donations made by its employees two-to-one. According to Cook, Apple is proactively offering aid to the “unfolding refugee catastrophe” and donating to humanitarian relief operations. Over the last two weeks, it has put a number of limitations on Russia.
The Verge was able to secure a copy of Cook’s email to staff. The following is the complete text of the email:
I wanted to take a moment to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
I know I speak for everyone at Apple in expressing our concern for all of those affected by the violence.
With each new image of families fleeing their homes and brave citizens fighting for their lives, we see how important it is for people around the world to come together to advance the cause of peace.
Apple is donating to humanitarian relief efforts and providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis. We are also working with partners to assess what more we can do.
I know that many of you are eager to find ways to support as well, and we want to help amplify the impact of your donations. Starting today, Apple will match your donations at a rate of 2:1 for eligible organizations, and we will make this retroactive for donations to those organizations since February 25. Please visit the Employee Giving Portal to learn more.
We are working to support our employees in Ukraine and across the region. In Ukraine, we have been in contact with every employee, assisting them and their families in any way we can.
For our Ukrainian employees/team members located outside of the country that may need support, please contact [email redacted]. And for any employee who needs any support, please visit the People site for available resources.
As a company, we are taking additional actions as well. We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been limited.
RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside Russia. And we have disabled both traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens.
We will continue to evaluate the situation and are in communication with relevant governments on the actions we are taking.
This moment calls for unity, it calls for courage, and it reminds us that we must never lose sight of the humanity we all share. In these difficult times, I take comfort in knowing that we are united in our commitment to each other, to our users, and to being a force for good in the world.
Cook has highlighted Apple’s attempts to address the situation in Ukraine and Russia. Apple has just announced that physical product sales through its online shop in Russia would be paused.
Customers in Russia will no longer be able to purchase iPhones, iPads, Macs, or other Apple items through the company’s official store. Apple has not stated whether or whether third-party vendors will be permitted to sell its products, but it has stated that all exports to Russia have been blocked for the time being.
Apple banned live traffic and data sharing in Apple Maps in Ukraine and restricted Apple Pay access in Russia last week. Apple joined forces with other major digital companies, like Google, Meta, and Netflix, to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began late last month.
Published By: Jaspreet Singh
Edited By: Kritika Kashyap
