LG is becoming a member of different tech heavyweights in halting Russian gross sales following that nation’s invasion of Ukraine. The corporate stated in a press release it was “suspending” all product shipments to Russia. The agency did not say how lengthy this is able to final, however famous it might hold a “shut watch” on the state of affairs. LG is “deeply involved” about everybody’s welfare and “dedicated” to humanitarian reduction, in keeping with the discover.

It isn’t clear simply what prompted the timing of the choice, which comes weeks after the late February invasion. There’s a variety of stress to behave, nevertheless. Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and others have already frozen shipments and gross sales in Russia — LG wasn’t going to look good if it continued to serve the Russian market regardless of that nation’s battle in opposition to Ukraine.

This transfer might be significantly damaging. Whereas LG has left the cellphone trade, it is nonetheless a serious drive in electronics that makes the whole lot from TVs by way of to air conditioners and fridges. Between LG’s transfer and Samsung’s, Russia could have misplaced two of the biggest system manufacturers on the planet. Russians are prone to nonetheless have choices because of manufacturers from China and elsewhere, however their decisions shall be significantly narrower.