SAN JOSE, Calif. — Online auction site eBay has temporarily halted all transactions involving Russian addresses, a company spokesperson confirmed to KNTV on Saturday.
“We stand with Ukraine and are taking a number of steps to support the Ukrainian people and our sellers in the region,” the San Jose, California-based e-commerce giant said in a prepared statement.
EBay is the latest U.S.-based enterprise to suspend operations in Russia since that country’s Feb. 24 invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Other high-profile companies to date halting Russian operations include, but are not limited to, McDonald’s, Visa, Coca-Cola, Estee Lauder, Mastercard, Netflix and American Express.
>> Related: Netflix announces suspension of service to Russia
“As a result of service interruptions by payment vendors and major shipping carriers, we have temporarily suspended all transactions involving Russian addresses and transactions involving Ukraine addresses may experience delays,” the company statement continued.
EBay previously waived seller fees for vendors in Ukraine and is currently “protecting” them from late shipment penalties and negative reviews, the BBC reported.
>> Related: Visa, Mastercard suspend services in Russia amid invasion of Ukraine
According to the company, customers in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada and Australia may also support Ukraine relief organizations through an on-site banner or its “Give at Checkout” option, and a portion of said contributions will be matched by eBay, KNTV reported.
>> Related: American Express suspends operations in Russia, Belarus
The announcements come as Russians face heavy sanctions levied by several countries, including the U.S., in response to Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine. The sanctions have prompted Russia’s central bank to impose capital controls and temporarily close equity and bond markets, according to Bloomberg News. Two weeks ago, the value of the country’s currency, the ruble, sank to a record low against the dollar, the news site reported.
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