Overview
- At a May 27 Kremlin meeting, Putin demanded that Microsoft and Zoom be throttled for undermining Russia’s sovereignty.
- He highlighted domestic projects such as the MyOffice software suite and state-backed gaming consoles as part of a strategy to replace Western platforms.
- Despite official withdrawals, many Russian firms continue using Microsoft products and Zoom services, with analysts estimating billions in lost sales for local competitors.
- The ongoing war in Ukraine and Western sanctions have deepened Russia’s international isolation and spurred the Kremlin’s push for tech nationalism.
- US President Donald Trump labeled Putin “crazy” over his Ukraine strategy and EU leaders signaled plans for additional sanctions in response.