Amazon Halts New AWS Sign-Ups and Blocks Prime Video in Russia

With the situation in Ukraine still showing no signs of de-escalation, Amazon announced some updates for its different businesses in Russia, including Amazon Web Services. First of all, the leading cloud services provider is no longer accepting new sign-ups for AWS for customers based in Russia in Belarus.

“As a reminder, unlike some other U.S. technology providers, Amazon and AWS have no data centers, infrastructure, or offices in Russia, and we have a long-standing policy of not doing business with the Russian government. Our biggest customers using AWS in Russia are companies who are headquartered outside of the country and have some development teams there.” Amazon explained.

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

In addition to blocking new AWS sign-ups in Russia and Belarus, Amazon has also suspended shipment of all retail products in these two countries. “We are also suspending access to Prime Video for customers based in Russia, and we will no longer be taking orders for New World, which is the only video game we sell directly in Russia,” the company announced.

Many big tech companies have been mobilizing their resources to help the people in Ukraine, and Amazon has been partnering with several NGOs and organizations to support humanitarian efforts in the country. Amazon has already donated $5 million to support Ukrainian citizens impacted by the conflict, and the company is also committed to matching any donation made by its employees.

Tagged with

Share post

Please check our Community Guidelines before commenting

Conversation 5 comments

  • blue77star

    09 March, 2022 - 8:49 am

    <p>They did them a favor especially banning junk food from Coca Cola, Pepsi, McDonald…not that ate from these places anyway to start with. The cancel culture in USA is ridiculous, they have no idea that Slavic people in general don’t give a toss about it.</p>

  • blue77star

    09 March, 2022 - 8:52 am

    <p>I mean what’s next…erase map of Russia and teach kids there is nothing on that part of Earth. I agree with sanctions but this is as I said becoming ridiculous.</p>

  • Bart

    Premium Member
    09 March, 2022 - 9:26 am

    <p>AWS is right in doing this. Unfortunately it is the Russian people that fall victim to these measures. But as change needs to come from within Russia, this is the only viable way.</p>

    • blue77star

      09 March, 2022 - 8:32 pm

      <p>That is something it won’t work. No western politician understands Russian or Slavic people in general.</p>

    • arjay

      12 March, 2022 - 10:13 am

      <p>One of the key principles of the Cold War (literally set out in a document defining it) was that we were in opposition to the Soviet government, not the Russian people. All these moves undercut that principle, and I fear the unintended consequences. I don’t think there will be a people’s rebellion in Russia.</p>

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Thurrott © 2024 Thurrott LLC