Walt Disney Company Shares Statement in Response to the Crisis in Ukraine

Given the current crisis impacting civilians in Ukraine, the Walt Disney Company recently took to Twitter to share a statement in support of Ukrainian refugees, as well as an update on theatrical releases and other business decisions involving Russia at this time.

The statement reads:

Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming Turning Red from Pixar. We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation. In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees. 

Statement from The Walt Disney Company in response to the crisis in Ukraine: pic.twitter.com/avf6HoECPt

— The Walt Disney Company (@WaltDisneyCo) March 1, 2022

The statement follows the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces which have now been ongoing since Thursday, February 24, 2022. As the situation continues to escalate, many companies (now including the Walt Disney Company) and individuals have been sharing their support for the Ukrainian people as well as statements on how business decisions involving Russia will shift during this time.

With many large companies and countries around the world denouncing actions taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and people around the world coming together to support the crisis in Ukraine, the Walt Disney Company is only the latest to release such a statement.

While Disney fans are supportive of the company’s statement on the situation in Ukraine, many of the replies to the tweet above and sentiment over the past week, in general, have been aimed at the hope that the Walt Disney Company would make a similar statement about the events in Florida that are currently affecting the LGBT community, namely the newly passed “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger did offer a statement earlier on the bill, however so far no representatives who are currently with the company have made a similar statement. The lack of statement on this topic has been causing disappointment among some fans who have pointed out that “Inclusion” is now Disney’s “Fifth Key.”

We will keep you updated here on Disney Fanatic if further business changes are announced due to the crisis in Ukraine, and we join the Walt Disney Company in showing solidarity for the people in Ukrainian whose lives are being threatened due to the crisis.