Tim Cook addressed the Russian invasion of Ukraine in an email to Apple employees this morning, outlining the company’s response to the events of the previous two weeks. Apple will match donations to specific humanitarian help funds two to one, according to the email, and will do so retrospectively for donations made since February 25. This email was obtained by The Verge, and you can read it in its entirety below (with the exception of an internal Apple email address, which has been redacted): I’d like to take a moment to speak on Ukraine’s ongoing crisis. I know I speak for everyone at Apple when I say that we are deeply concerned for people who have been affected by the violence. We see how vital it is for people all around the world to work together to advance the cause of peace with each fresh image of families leaving their homes and heroic citizens fighting for their lives.
Apple is giving to humanitarian relief efforts and assisting with the refugee catastrophe that is occurring. We’re also collaborating with others to see what else we can do. Many of you, I’m sure, are eager to find ways to contribute, and we’d like to help you maximize the impact of your contributions. Apple will match your donations at a 2:1 rate for eligible organizations starting today, and this will be retroactive for donations made to those organizations since February 25. To learn more, go to the Employee Giving Portal. We are striving to provide assistance to our teams in Ukraine and throughout the region. We’ve been in touch with each employee in Ukraine, aiding them and their family in any way we can. Please contact [email redacted] if you are a member of our Ukrainian team who is based outside of the country and requires assistance. Also, any employee in need of assistance should go to the People site to see what options are available. We are also taking further steps as a firm.
All product sales in Russia have been halted. We halted all exports into our country’s sales channel last week. Other services, such as Apple Pay, have been curtailed. Outside of Russia, RT News and Sputnik News are no longer accessible for download on the App Store. As safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens, we have blocked both traffic and live incidents on Apple Maps in Ukraine. We’ll keep assessing the situation and keeping in touch with relevant governments on the steps we’re taking. This moment necessitates togetherness, courage, and a reminder that we must never lose sight of our common humanity. In these trying times, it gives me comfort to know that we are all committed to each other, our users and being a positive force in the world. Apple has taken a number of initiatives in the region, as Cook points out in his email (and as Apple has stated in public remarks). It started on Tuesday that it would no longer sell its products in Russia. Apple Maps data sharing is limited in Ukraine, as is Apple Pay use in Russia. Apple has been in contact with “all employees” in Ukraine, according to Cook, and is working to assist them and their families. Some employees have considered relocating their family out of Ukraine internally.
