EU seeks to ban PlayStation and Xbox shipments to Russia
Illustrative photo: The EU wants to ban the supply of PlayStation and Xbox consoles to Russia (Getty Images)
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has proposed banning the sale of gaming consoles to Russia, including PlayStation and Xbox, the Financial Times reports.
According to Kallas, this decision aims to prevent Russian armed forces from using these devices to control drones deployed in Ukraine.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stated that products such as Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox would be included in a new round of sanctions scheduled for the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 22.
"We are considering all possible options to stop Russia. We are really looking at all types of things that help Russia wage this war to include them in the sanctions list - even video game consoles, because, evidently, they are being used to control drones," said Kallas.
The three largest gaming console manufacturers - American Microsoft and Japanese groups Nintendo and Sony - halted sales in Russia in early March 2022. The EU ban would target traders within the bloc who send consoles to Russia, including sellers of used equipment.
Currently, China is the largest supplier to Russia, selling gaming consoles worth over $120 million last year. This figure in 2024 sharply increased from just under $30 million in 2022.
In addition to gaming consoles, the new sanctions list will include chemicals essential for Russia's military industry, along with restrictions on liquefied natural gas imports.
In early February last year, Sony banned the activation of its games on Russian and Belarusian Steam accounts. Furthermore, in March 2022, Sony Music Group, the world's second-largest record company, announced the cessation of operations in Russia.
In May 2023, due to economic forecasts, Nintendo of Europe decided to wind down its Russian division.
