OAKLAND, California ¨C Microsoft Corp. President Brad Smith wrote to Ukraine¡¯s leader this month with a clear message: Despite Kyiv¡¯s calls for it to sever all ties with Russia, the U.S. software behemoth would continue doing business in the country with nonsanctioned clients, including schools and hospitals.
¡°Depriving these institutions of software updates and services could put at risk the health and safety of innocent civilians, including children and the elderly,¡± Smith said in the previously unreported March 14 letter.
Smith told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Microsoft was ¡°mindful of the moral responsibility¡± to protect civilians. However, he said the company was discussing with U.S., British and EU governments whether ¡°to halt any ongoing services and support¡± in Russia and would move ¡°in lockstep with their sanctions and other economic goals.¡±
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