Disney Pauses All Business in Russia, Citing ‘Unrelenting Assault’ in Ukraine

thewrap.com:

Disney is now pausing all of its business in Russia amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, calling Vladimir Putin’s actions an “unrelenting assault on Ukraine.” Disney’s pause of business includes any content and product licensing, Disney Cruise Line activities, National Geographic magazine and tours, local content productions and linear channels.

The statement specifies that some business activities can be paused immediately while others will take time “given contractual complexities.” The news follows Disney’s previous plan to pause the theatrical release of its films in Russia, including this week’s “Turning Red” from Pixar. “Given the unrelenting assault on Ukraine and the escalating humanitarian crisis, we are taking steps to pause all other businesses in Russia,” a spokesperson for the Walt Disney Company said in a statement. “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.”They continued: “Even as we pause these businesses, we remain committed to our dedicated colleagues in Russia, who will remain employed.

And we continue to work with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other much-needed assistance to refugees.”Other companies in Hollywood and beyond Hollywood have also taken such steps amid the ongoing war.