PayPal shuts down its services in Russia citing Ukraine aggression

Reuters

Published Mar 05, 2022 02:08AM ET

Updated Mar 05, 2022 05:26AM ET

By Paresh Dave

(Reuters) - Payments company PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:PYPL) shut down its services early on Saturday in Russia, citing "the current circumstances," joining many financial and tech companies in suspending operations there after the invasion of Ukraine.

"Under the current circumstances, we are suspending PayPal services in Russia," President and Chief Executive Dan Schulman said in a statement. He added that the company "stands with the international community in condemning Russia's violent military aggression in Ukraine."

A company spokesperson said PayPal will support withdrawals "for a period of time, ensuring that account balances are dispersed in line with applicable laws and regulations.”

PayPal, which had only allowed cross-border transactions by users in Russia, stopped accepting new users in the country on Wednesday.

Ukrainian government officials had been calling on PayPal to quit Russia and help them with fundraising.