By Arvind Krishna President and CEO of IBM
07 June 2022
The following message was communicated to IBMers worldwide by our President and CEO, Arvind Krishna, on May 30th.
On March 7, I shared with you our decision to suspend IBM’s business in Russia due to the war in Ukraine. Our focus for months has been on caring for the safety and security of IBMers and their families in the affected areas.
We have chosen to suspend work so that we can evaluate longer-term options while continuing to pay and provide for our employees in Russia. As the aftermath of the war continues to grow and uncertainty over its long-term consequences grows, we have now decided to make a regular shutdown of IBM’s operations in Russia. We consider this move to be correct and necessary and as a natural next step after the suspension of our business.
This process will start today and will result in the separation of our local workforce. Our colleagues in Russia, without their own responsibility, have endured months of stress and uncertainty. We recognize that this news is difficult and I want to assure them that IBM will continue to stand by them and take all reasonable steps to provide support and make their transition as smooth as possible.
I would also like to thank IBMers everywhere again for all you have done to help our company, our customers and our communities cope with this crisis. Your wit and generosity have made the difference and you do not need to look for proofs in addition to the nearly $ 2 million donations made to the International Red Cross thanks to your individual gifts.
We remain united in our hope for the end of this war and the restoration of peace.
Thanks, Arvind
