Ukraine has requested Xbox and PlayStation to stop service in Russia

Ukraine Russia Xbox & Playstation Support

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister has requested that Xbox and PlayStation stop support in the Russian and Belarusian markets.

Mykhailo Fedorov wrote an open letter to the platform's owners on Twitter, requesting that they "ban all Russian and Belorussian accounts, temporarily ban the participation of Russian and Belorussian teams and gamers in all international esports competitions."

"To all game development companies and esports platforms, the Russian Federation has carried out a deceitful and outrageous military strike against my country!" the Deputy Prime Minister said in a message to Xbox and PlayStation. Imagine cruise missiles attacking residential areas, kindergartens, and hospitals in the heart of Europe in 2022."

"... we need your help — in 2022, current technology is perhaps the best answer to tanks, multiple rocket launchers (hrad), and missiles," the letter continues.

"I am confident that you will not only listen, but also do everything possible to protect Ukraine, Europe, and, ultimately, the entire democratic world from bloody authoritarian aggression – and I urge you to temporarily block all Russian and Belarusian accounts, stop Russian and Belarusian teams and gamers from participating in all international esports events, and cancel international events held on Russian and Belarusian territory."

"We are confident that such acts will inspire Russian citizens to take aggressive steps to stop the terrible military attack."

Fedorov also claimed that Riot Games, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Wargaming close their Russian offices. "There is no place for aggression on the world technology map!" he wrote.

@Xbox @PlayStation

You are definitely aware of what is happening in Ukraine right now. Russia declare war not for Ukraine but for all civilized world. If you support human values, you should live the Russian market! pic.twitter.com/tnQr13BsSv

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 2, 2022

 

@riotgames @EA @Ubisoft Gameloft @wargaming_net

Right now russian troops are bombing Ukrainian cities and killing Ukrainians. Please help us stop this. Close your offices in russia! There’s no place for aggressor on the global technological map!

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 2, 2022

While neither Sony nor Microsoft has reacted to the letter, companies across the gaming industry are reacting to the current conflict in Ukraine.

Sony made a $2 million donation to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the international non-governmental organization Save the Children on Wednesday, "in order to give humanitarian help to the impacted people in Ukraine and nations in the surrounding." 

According to the company, it also intends to connect donations from Sony employees and equal the amount donated.

Microsoft, Xbox's parent company, has yet to comment; but, in a blog post published last week, it outlined its efforts to assist in combating cyberattacks against Ukraine.

Last week, the maker of the anti-war game This War of Mine stated that a portion of the game's sales would be donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross.

In fact, Embracer Group, CD Projekt Red, and Ubisoft have issued statements of solidarity for Ukraine, with the former two pledging to donate to humanitarian aid operations.

Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., and Disney have all pulled pictures from Russian releases, including the upcoming The Batman.

The governing body of football Russia has been banned from competing in the forthcoming World Cup qualification matches by FIFA. UEFA has also banned Russian teams from participating in its competitions. At the time of writing, Russia or any Russian teams have not been removed from FIFA's official video game, FIFA 22.

hs