Canonical breaks relations with Russian partners and corporate users

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu joined today to companies that interrupt their business with Russia as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. Follow in the footsteps of Suse Linux and Red Hat (IBM)
The information was published today in blog of Ubuntu under the title «We are with Ukraine»

Canonical breaks relations with Russian partners and corporate users

In the post it reads:

In response to the Russian invasion and acts of war in Ukraine, Canonical sent notice of termination of support, provision of professional services, and distribution partnerships with Russian companies. We will not resume such commitments while comprehensive and democratically instituted sanctions against Russia remain in place.

However, it does not abandon home users

We will not restrict access to security patches for Ubuntu users in Russia: Free software platforms like Ubuntu, VPN and Tor technologies are important for those looking for news and talk outside of state control. We will direct any Russian subscription income for such maintenance to humanitarian causes in Ukraine.

He also made it clear which side the company is on.

We are actively supporting all our colleagues affected by this war to ensure to the greatest extent possible your financial, emotional and physical security. We also support colleagues from around the world who have joined the effort to help and shelter victims and refugees.

As a company and a community, we are appalled by the senseless loss of life and destruction of property and heritage that is taking place in Ukraine.

Red Hat and SUSE Linux

Canonical's move comes almost a month after Red Hat (hand in hand with its parent company IBM) will make a decision to cease sales and services in Russia and Belarus (allied country), with immediate effect from the announcement. The decommissioning applies to organizations located or headquartered in Russia or Belarus. From the company they also said that in the same way it is ending association relations with organizations located or with legal domicile in both countries.

Red Hat Chairman and CEO Paul Cormier condemned in a publication of the corporate blog the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and said the company stands united with all those affected by the violence.

We add our voices to those calling for peace and will continue to work to ensure the safety of our affected associates and their families in any way we can.

The company has associates who live and work in Ukraine and Russia.

Counier explained

We've helped Red Hat members in Ukraine and their families (including spouses, children, and family members) move safely to nearby countries, and we continue to help those who remain in the country in any way possible.

We are also supporting our partners in Russia.

Melissa DiDonato, the CEO of SUSE assured that his firm is doing everything possible to support employees who have relatives in Ukraine and that all employees and their households have access to SUSEAssist, its staff support program.
Regarding the commercial issue, he clarified:

Alongside these efforts, we are observing all economic sanctions. In accordance with these sanctions, we are evaluating all of our business relationships in Russia and have suspended all direct sales in Russia. We are also prepared to comply with any additional sanctions that may be implemented.

According to some media, Oracle continues to provide services to both countries, although there is no official confirmation.

It must be remembered that the original free and open source software licenses prevent any type of restriction from being placed on the use and distribution of the code. so nothing prevents Russian companies from using Fedora, CentOS and openSUSE and local organizations from replacing foreign ones.

And, if this is not enough, the Russian government is considering legalizing the use of software without a license.