Updated Mar 4, 2022 - Economy

Airbnb suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus

Rebecca Falconer

CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky speaks on stage during Pivot MIA at 1 Hotel South Beach on February 16, 2022 in Miami, Florida. — Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky speaks on stage during Pivot MIA at 1 Hotel South Beach on February 16, 2022 in Miami, Florida. Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Vox Media

Airbnb is "suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus," the home rental company's CEO Brian Chesky tweeted late Thursday.

What they're saying: Airbnb said in an emailed statement on Friday that the decision "means that we will block calendars from accepting new bookings in both countries until further notice."

"We will also restrict users in Belarus and Russia from making new reservations as guests," the statement added.

The big picture: The announcement came days after Airbnb said it would offer free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine due to the invasion by Russian forces.

Giant global businesses in every sector are abandoning Russia following the invasion and financial sanctions have isolated the country from the rest of the world, Axios' Hope King writes.

Go deeper: The latest on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Airbnb.

Add Axios on Google

Airbnb suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus

What to read next