Putin Says Microsoft, Zoom Must Be Throttled in Russian Market

Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly called for action against foreign tech companies like Microsoft and Zoom, urging that they be "strangled" in response to their continued presence and profit in Russia despite formally announcing their departure.

During a meeting with representatives from various sectors in Moscow, Putin addressed concerns raised by a businessperson who noted that these companies continue to earn revenue in the Russian market. In response, Putin said:

“We need to strangle them. I completely agree. I say this without any embarrassment, because they are trying to strangle us. We need to reciprocate.”

Putin further urged Russian users to move away from Western services, stating that they bring with them "bad habits."

Highlighting inconsistencies in Western business practices, Putin noted that while U.S. companies continue to deliver medical equipment and services to Russia, European firms have ceased such operations. Referencing McDonald’s exit from Russia at the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Putin remarked:

“They put everyone in a difficult position, ran away, and now, if they want to come back, should we pave the way for them? Of course not.”

On Russia’s economic outlook, Putin claimed that the country has now climbed to fourth place globally in terms of purchasing power parity. He stated.

“The Russian economy is growing at an outstanding pace in challenging conditions, such as 4.1% in 2023 and 4.3% last year. This is a good indicator.”

He added that the growth spans multiple sectors, including industry, agriculture, digital technologies, services, and finance, rather than being concentrated in just a few areas. Putin also acknowledged that Russian businesses have faced challenges with international payments, logistics, and supply chains, especially due to the exit of many Western companies under political pressure, which left Russian partners in a difficult position. He concluded by stressing the need to eliminate all “deficits” that lead to reliance on imported products, emphasizing:

“Otherwise, we will have no domestic products left.”