Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken a bold step against Western tech influence when he called for the shutting down inside Russia of services like Microsoft and Zoom. The statement has emerged amid Moscow's increasing drive to 'sovereignize' the digital space and rely on Russian technologies, amid strained political and economic ties with the West.

Highlights

• Putin urged Russia to replace Microsoft and Zoom with homegrown alternatives.
• He criticized foreign software as a national security threat.
• Russian officials are accelerating efforts to develop local tech infrastructure.
• State institutions may soon be banned from using foreign digital tools.
• The Kremlin views digital independence as crucial for national sovereignty.

But President Vladimir Putin’s comments touch on a broader strategy of weaning the country off Western technology. He said during a recent meeting that depending on services like Microsoft and Zoom was a letdown of Russia digital security. The program backs tech sovereignty championed by his administration which encourages use of Russian produced software in government and schools across Russia.

A shift towards digital sovereignty is not a new direction for the Kremlin but has grown more urgent in the current geopolitical environment. Foreign platforms can be used for surveillance or sabotage, Putin has repeatedly stressed. But Russian lawmakers are now drafting policies that would restrict – or even outlaw – Western software in certain public and defense sectors for national security reasons.

Major investment is going into domestic alternatives in order to enhance digital sovereignty. Russian video conferencing platforms and operating systems will be developed with government backing. Putin’s government says cutting ties with companies such as Microsoft and Zoom will bolster the country’s cyber defenses and spur innovation in the Russian tech ecosystem, insulating the country from foreign pressure.