Local

Disney to pause all business in Russia in response to crisis in Ukraine

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Walt Disney Company announced Thursday that it would be pausing all business activities in Russia in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Disney, which had announced last week that they were pausing the release of its theatrical films in Russia, said the move was in response to the “unrelenting assault on Ukraine and the escalating humanitarian crisis.”

Watch: Disney pauses film releases in Russia

The company said the halt of some business activities will be immediate, while others “will take time given contractual complexities.”

Disney operates several businesses in Russia such as content and product licensing, cruise lines, several content productions and National Geographic magazine and tours.

Read: Russia attacks Ukraine: Ukraine trying to restore power to Chernobyl (live updates)

The company said despite the pause, they still remain committed to their Russian employees.

“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,” the company said.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Matt Reeser

Matt Reeser, WFTV.com

Matt Reeser joined WFTV in 1998 as a news photographer and has worked for television stations in Kentucky and West Virginia.