KYIV, Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has thanked American sportswear manufacturer Nike for ending the sales of its products in Russia.

Zelenskiy said he had spoken to Nike officials and thanked them for making what he called the "right decision" to leave Russia.

"This is an example of how business can play a significant role in protecting humanity and freedom," he said in a video address. "If a state chooses the path of terror, it is the duty of every self-respecting company to distance itself from such a state."

Meanwhile, Nike officials told Reuters that it was planning to leave the Russian market back in June. In March, Nike temporarily suspended operations at all its Nike-owned and -operated stores in Russia.

Nike now joins other major western brands that have stopped conducting business in Russia since its February invasion of Ukraine.