Universal’s HQ in Santa Monica, California
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Universal Music Group, the world’s biggest record label, has suspended all of its operations in Russia in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.
It has closed its offices there in protest at the war in Ukraine.
The music giant becomes the latest company to cease its operations in Russia over the invasion of Ukraine after McDonald’s said Tuesday it would temporarily close all of its restaurants in the country.
In a new statement, Universal said the move would be effective immediately.
“Effective immediately, we are suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there,” it said.
“We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible.
“We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region.”
It comes after rock legend Sting, who recently sold his catalogue to the label, shared a performance of his 1985 hit Russians in a bid to encourage donations to Ukrainian refugees.
As he shared the powerful performance on Instagram, the Grammy-award winning musician said: “I’ve only rarely sung this song in the many years since it was written, because I never thought it would be relevant again.
“But, in the light of one man’s bloody and woefully misguided decision to invade a peaceful, unthreatening neighbour, the song is, once again, a plea for our common humanity.
“For the brave Ukrainians fighting against this brutal tyranny and also the many Russians who are protesting this outrage despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment - We, all of us, love our children. Stop the war.”
He urged fans to send donations to a warehouse in Poland which will help the millions of refugees fleeing the conflict.
Alongside punishing sanctions which has seen the value of the rouble plummet, Russia has been hit with a wave of multinational corporations taking action over its unprovoked invasion.
Unilever, which owns scores of household brands including Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and Lynx deodorant, announced Tuesday it had suspended all imports and exports of its products into or out of Russia.
Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Pepsi have also all suspended operations in the country over the war.
