Disney taking steps to ‘pause’ all business in Russia

© PA Archive Disney

Earlier this week, some of the world’s biggest brands including McDonalds, Apple and Coca-Cola announced similar decisions to stop its work in the country due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Disney’s announcement comes one week after the company delayed the theatrical release of its films in Russia in response to the ongoing crisis.

In a statement, it said: “Given the unrelenting assault on Ukraine and the escalating humanitarian crisis, we are taking steps to pause all other businesses in Russia.

“This includes content and product licensing, Disney Cruise Line activities, National Geographic magazine and tours, local content productions and linear channels.

“Some of those business activities we can and will pause immediately.

“Others, such as linear channels and some content and product licensing, will take time given contractual complexities.”

Disney said it “remains committed” to its “dedicated colleagues in Russia who will remain employed”.

The company also said it would work with its NGO partners to provide “urgent aide and other much-needed assistance to refugees”.

Disney has become the latest media company to pull out of doing business in Russia, following Warner Music Group which suspended all of its operations in the country on Thursday.

It comes as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there was “no justification for continuing to deal with Russia” and to “provide services” in the country.

“To be in any way involved in helping with Putin’s economy is really almost to be providing blood money to funding his war machine,” he told ITV News.

“What he’s doing in Ukraine is pure evil.”

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