The Ukraine government has called upon Xbox and PlayStation to block Russian and Belorussian gamers from their online accounts while the despicable war that their governments wage on Ukraine rages on. In an open letter to the two platforms, Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov highlights the repugnant actions being taken against his country and citizens, and implores them to join the wide-ranging sanctions and business-led pull back from the countries.
You are definitely aware of what is happening in Ukraine right now. Russia declare war not for Ukraine but for all civilized world. If you support human values, you should live the Russian market! pic.twitter.com/tnQr13BsSv
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 2, 2022
He writes, “The whole world is repelling the agressor through the imposition of sanctions – the enemy must suffer significant losses. But we need your support – in 2022, modern technology is perhaps the best answer to the tanks, multiple rocket launchers (hrad) and missiles.
“I am sure that you will not only hear, but do everything possible to protect Ukraine, Europe and, finally, the entire democratic world from bloody authoritarian aggression – and I appeal to temporarily black all Russian and Belorussian accounts, temporarily stop the participation of Russian and Belorussian teams and gamers in all international esports events and cancel all international events holding on the territory of and Belarus.
“We are sure that such actions will motivate the citizens of Russia to proactively stop the disgraceful military aggression.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine no 24th February, the country has faced an overwhelming international reaction with the imposition of countless sanctions by countries from around the world against both Russia’s economic structures and highly placed individuals within and close to its government. The Russian Ruble has gone into freefall, and its people are already feeling the impact of the sanctions on every day life – they can no longer use Visa or Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay has been blocked, and there’s been a rush to withdraw cash.
A big part of Ukraine’s strategy to defend itself and hopefully end the war has been to rouse support from across the world, imploring countries, industries and companies to take action. A tweet to Elon Musk saw the billionaire divert SpaceX satellites and deliver a shipment of satellite dishes to help ensure that key parts of Ukraine could maintain internet access, for example. The hope from this latest plea is that they can continue to chip away at the propaganda machine that is running within Russia and keeping many of their citizens blind to the realities of the conflict.
I doubt they aren’t going to complain if Valve or Nintendo step in to help as well.
Source: Twitter
Andrewww
Debatable, but I think it would be a good idea. Although, of course it is their dictator who started this idiotic war and not Russian gamers, the more Russians suffer from it, and not having access to gaming is a very little price to pay in comparison, the more likely it is they get really pissed off by what their bastard leader brings about the world. And that, in turn, can only be a good thing.
TSBonyman
We can hope so – there must come a pojnt when even the Russian people must consider the value of the lives of the Ukrainian and Russian people versus the will of one psychopath.
PoorPaddy89
Just an FYI, not meaning to sound like a dick, but it’s Ukraine, not “the” Ukraine. Using “the” refers to the country before its independence – source: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-18233844
It’s a common mistake so really don’t mean to come across as an asshole, it’s something I only found out about in the last week. Just the more you know, right?
Stefan L
No, you’re right and I’ve seen that online in the last week, but slipped up when writing this post. I’ll fix it now!
PoorPaddy89
No worries, it happens :)