Revolut’s Russian CEO Calls For Ceasefire on Russia-Ukrainian War

Revolut’s Russian-British Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nik Storonsky has called for a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Per a blog post he shared for the first time since the attack started on February 24, Storonsky, born to a Ukrainian father said he took the diplomatic escalation as a shock as he has always seen Ukrainians and Russians be kinsmen.

Storonsky said he has been so concerned about the welfare of his staff in both Ukraine and Russia, and unlike the position of most industry leaders, advocated for the welfare of all including those in Russia. In his words about his Russian colleagues, Storonsky said;

“They have done nothing wrong; they have simply helped build Revolut, supporting their own families through their hard work, just like their colleagues in Ukraine (or London or New York or Sydney or Mumbai, or anywhere else in the world where our people are based). I was, and remain, mindful of them in all of my actions.”

In effect, Revolut has not stopped its services to Russia, a markedly different position compared to the adherence by both payment services providers and fintech firms to pull their services from Russia. 

Revolut’s CEO Says Firm Will Donate up to £1.5M

Revolut’s CEO also reassured that the company will match up with whatever donations that its customers are making through its platform to aid the ongoing relief operations in Ukraine. He said the donations will be matched up to a maximum of £1.5 million.

“In solidarity with the people of Ukraine, I am announcing that every donation made to the Red Cross Ukraine appeal will be matched by Revolut. For every pound or euro or złoty or franc donated by a Revolut customer to the appeal, Revolut will donate the same again, from today for the next 7 days, up to £1.5m,” the Blog Post reads.

Since the war broke out in Ukraine, a number of digital currency-focused organizations and payment services firms like Mastercard amongst others have been making donations towards the relief efforts ongoing in Ukraine. While Binance Exchange donated the sum of $10 million and established a crypto-first crowdfunding campaign it donated 16,042 BNB to, Polkadot Founder Gavin Wood has also made a $5.8 million donation to the effort.