INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Apple, ExxonMobil and Boeing announced Tuesday in rapid succession steps to withdraw or freeze business in Russia as more United States
Western governments.ExxonMobil will begin a phased withdrawal from the giant Sakhalin offshore oilfield that it has operated since 1995,
saying "we deplore Russia's military action that violates the territorial integrity of Ukraine and endangers its people."The United States
company operates in Russia on behalf of a consortium including Russian, Indian and Japanese companies, its only major project in Russia,
after it pulled out of two joint ventures during the previous round of sanctions against Russia following its annexation of Crimea in
2014.ExxonMobil's move follows earlier decisions by British energy group BP and Shell to pull out of joint projects in Russia
France's TotalEnergies said it would stay in Russia, but refrain from investing more money there.ExxonMobil stressed that "the process to
discontinue operations will need to be carefully managed and closely coordinated with the co-venturers in order to ensure it is executed
services in the country."We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all of the people who are suffering as
a result of the violence," Apple said.Ukraine's defiant government, which has urged its people to battle Russian forces, has asked for
help from all quarters, including Apple's CEO Tim Cook."I appeal to you..
to stop supplying Apple services and products to the Russian Federation, including blocking access to the Apple Store!" Ukraine's digital
minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote in a letter he posted to Twitter on Friday.Boeing for its part said it was suspending its support for
Russian airlines and its operations in Moscow, saying it was "focused on ensuring the safety of our teammates in the region."The action
could weigh heavily on flag carrier Aeroflot, which flies the Boeing 737 and 777, and last week announced it was suspending flights to
Europe in response to the flight ban.The United States and European allies have put tough sanctions on Moscow in recent days, including by
cutting selected Russian banks from the SWIFT messaging system, while Washington has announced measures specifically targeting the country's
Central Nank.There has also been a stampede of large United States companies in recent days away from Russia affecting nearly every
sector.Disney and WarnerMedia were among the entertainment giants to suspend new film releases in Russia, while tech heavyweights such as
Facebook, TikTok and Microsoft moved to curb the reach of Russian state-linked news outlets, which stand accused of pushing misinformation
about Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.General Motors suspended vehicle exports to Russia, while Detroit rival Ford aid it was suspending its
remaining operations in Russia, including commercial van manufacturing.Credit card companies including Visa, Mastercard and American Express
announced they were blocking Russian banks from their payment networks following international sanctions.On Tuesday, Moscow announced plans
for presidential decree aimed at preventing foreign investment exiting the country."In the current sanctions situation, foreign investors
will be guided not by economic factors, but by political pressure," Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said."To enable businesses to make
informed decisions, a draft presidential decree has been prepared to introduce temporary restrictions on exiting Russian assets."He added:
"We still consider foreign business as potential partners."
