According to the note Apple is sending developers, the termination is effective immediately. Developers with accounts registered in the Crimea have also had access to their developer portal blocked. Here’s the full text:This letter Serves as Notice of termination of the Registered Apple Developer Agreement (the “Agreement RAD”) Between you and Apple, Effective immediately.

Apple May terminate your Status as Registered Apple Developer A at Any time at ITS Sole Discretion Under the RAD Agreement. The new sanctions on the Crimea Region announced by the US Government on December 19, 2014 and announced by the European Commission on December 18, 2014 prohibit the continuation of the RAD Agreement between you and Apple. For more information, please review Executive Order 13685 and the European Commission Notice.

We Would like to remind you of your Obligations with regard to software and All Other Confidential information you That Obtained from Apple as A Registered Apple Developer. You must promptly Cease All use of and destroy such materials and Comply with All the Other Obligations set forth termination in the RAD Agreement.

So what’s going on? In March 2014, pro-Russian and Russian military forces occupied most of the strategically important Crimean Peninsula, taking it over from the Ukraine. In response to the aggressive annexation of Crimea by Russia, the United States has imposed sanctions upon Crimea, which specifically prevents any American company from selling or importing goods, services, or technology into the region.

How long will this last? Unless Russia decides to withdraw from the Peninsula, which is unlikely, it might take a long time for Crimea to get its App Store back.