July 17, 2025 — Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his government to draft new measures restricting the use of software developed in countries deemed “unfriendly” to Russia, escalating efforts to sever technological ties with the West.
According to a directive published on the Kremlin’s website, the Russian Cabinet must submit proposals by September 1 to impose additional limitations on the use of foreign software, including communication services, that originate from such states.
The move follows a May 26 meeting between Putin and Russian business leaders, where the president criticized the continued use of Western digital platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft, reportedly saying that Russia must “strangle” these services to foster the growth of its domestic tech industry.
Officials close to the process say the coming restrictions are likely to target foreign corporate communication platforms rather than personal messaging apps. The news outlet Faridaily reported that major enterprise software and cloud service providers could be affected, particularly those still operating in Russia despite the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions.
Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev echoed Putin’s stance after the May business summit, stating, “We can think about gradually restricting foreign internet services that have Russian alternatives.” Quoting the president directly, he added: “The president said — we will strangle them.”
The Kremlin has already been pursuing technological sovereignty in recent years, pushing for the adoption of Russian-made software in schools, government institutions, and state-run enterprises. The new directive signals an even more aggressive shift toward digital isolationism amid growing geopolitical tensions.
