Mar 2, 2022: According to a report by AFP, U.S aviation giant Boeing on Tuesday announced it was suspending its support for Russian airlines and its operations in Moscow amid a growing backlash to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A Boeing spokesperson said, “We have suspended major operations in Moscow and temporarily closed our office in Kyiv,”

“We are also suspending parts, maintenance and technical support services for Russian airlines. As the conflict continues, our teams are focused on ensuring the safety of our teammates in the region.”

Flag carrier Aeroflot, which flies the Boeing 737 and 777, last week announced it was suspending flights to Europe in response to the flight ban by the EU nations.

The U.S and its European allies have in recent days imposed tough sanctions on Moscow, including cutting off Russian banks selected from the SWIFT messaging system, while Washington has announced measures specifically targeting the country’s central bank.

Boeing joins other American companies who have announced a suspension sales and operations to the country since the launch of a military offensive on Ukraine by Russia. Apple on Tuesday stopped all sales in Russia, and the European Union banned Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik from broadcasting in the bloc.

Apple, ExxonMobil and Boeing announced in rapid succession steps to withdraw or freeze business in Russia as more US corporate giants take action after the Ukraine invasion. ExxonMobil’s move follows earlier decisions by British energy group BP and Shell to pull out of joint projects in Russia. France’s TotalEnergies said it would stay in Russia, but refrain from investing more money there.

In addition, Hollywood studios, Disney, Sony and Warner Brothers also said they are pausing release of their films in Russia. Tech heavyweights such as Facebook, TikTok and Microsoft moved to curb the reach of Russian state-linked news outlets, which stand accused of pushing misinformation about Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Credit card companies including Visa, Mastercard and American Express announced they were blocking Russian banks from their payment networks following international sanctions.

“As a result of sanction orders, we have blocked multiple financial institutions from the Mastercard payment network,” Mastercard Chief Executive Michael Miebach said in a statement.

“We will continue to work with regulators in the days ahead to abide fully by our compliance obligations as they evolve.”

Visa said on its website that it is “taking prompt action to ensure compliance with applicable sanctions, and is prepared to comply with additional sanctions that may be implemented.”

While American Express said its business in Russia was “small,” it stressed that “since the beginning of this crisis, we have been complying with US and international sanctions.”

Also on Tuesday, the world’s three largest shipping lines have suspended non essential shipments to Russia, joining the growing list of companies leaving Moscow amid Western sanctions over its attack on Ukraine.

Danish shipping company Maersk, MSC based in Switzerland and CMA CGM of France all announced on Tuesday that they will no longer take bookings from Russia and are suspending most shipments in the country.

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