The Russian Government’s actions in Ukraine have been condemned by both the International Communications Consultancy Organisation and the Public Relations and Communications Association in the strongest possible terms.

The UK has imposed sanctions aimed at encouraging Russia to cease actions destabilising Ukraine, undermining, or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence of Ukraine. The PRCA warned that any members working for Russian organisations on the sanctions list will face expulsion. It has also urged members to consider the reputational consequences of working for companies linked to the Russian government.

Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA and chief executive of the ICCO, says, “We can be under no illusion; Russia is now a pariah state. Our members cannot – under any circumstances – support organisations that are on the sanctions list. They should also reflect on the consequences for their own reputations of working with other organisations and individuals linked to the Russian Government.

The ICCO has suspended the Russian PR Association indefinitely after the Executive Committee expressed concerns that AKOS (Association of Consulting Companies in the Field of Public Relations) failed to distance itself from the actions of the Russian government.

"All industries have a moral obligation to cut ties with the Russian Government. But the weight of that responsibility falls heavily on PR and communications. The Russian Government has waged an information war on Ukraine and our industry has a duty to fight the disinformation emanating from the Kremlin,” says Ingham

Today, 10 March, the PRCA and ICCO has announced a blanket ban on awards entries from Russian organisations and individuals. “Russia has continued its senseless killing campaign in Ukraine. It's clear our industry has a moral duty to cut all ties with Moscow,” adds Ingham.