Universal Music Group has suspended all of its operations in Russia and closed its offices in the country, reports Billboard. UMG’s staff will continue to receive their salaries for an undetermined period, but artists will see most of their recording activity put on hold, notes Variety.
“Effective immediately, we are suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there,” Universal Music Group said in a statement. “We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible. We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries (including the US, UK, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Czech Republic, and Hungary) to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region.”
Last week, numerous music businesses announced they were cutting ties with Russia. Live Nation has ceased promoting concerts or conducting any business in the country, Spotify announced plans to shutter its Russian office indefinitely, and the European Broadcasting Union banned Russia from the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. Multiple artists have protested Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by canceling concerts in the country as well, including Green Day, HEALTH, Nick Cave, and Russian rapper Oxxxymiron who canceled six sold out concerts. Longtime activist and Pussy Riot co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova sold NFTs to raise funds for Ukrainian civilian groups, too.
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