Google suspends all advertising in Russia

“In light of the extraordinary circumstances, we’re pausing Google ads in Russia,” the company said in a statement. “The situation is evolving quickly, and we will continue to share updates when appropriate.”

Google’s move comes as Russia appears poised for a crackdown on major tech platforms. The country’s communications regulator has sent multiple letters to Google and YouTube, along with other western tech companies, complaining of restrictions targeting Russian state media. A recently passed Russian law also requires foreign tech platforms to open local offices in the country in order to continue doing business there — a step that policy analysts have said is an effort to bring tech companies further under Russian legal jurisdiction.