The tech industry must prioritize national security in light of the conflict in Ukraine, according to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

• On CNBC's "Power Lunch" Monday, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt stated that Russia's war on Ukraine will strengthen the tech industry's perception of its role in national security.
• Schmidt stated that it is more beneficial for Russia to remain connected to information so that its people can become aware of what they are missing out on.
• He stated that Western sanctions are effectively returning Moscow to the 1980s, with food stamps, long lines, and other similarities.

On CNBC's "Power Lunch" Monday, former CEO Eric Schmidt stated that Russia's war on Ukraine will demonstrate to tech companies the significance of national security and the importance of supporting it.

Schmidt stated that the war will aid in strengthening tech companies' comprehension of the significance of national security.

If you believed, incorrectly, that war and conflict had ended 10 years ago, and that militaries were no longer necessary to protect us, you would argue against working with the government and focusing on national security matters. However, we have tragically proven this belief wrong, and we now need a strong national security in our country. As such, the tech industry must support it.

For years, Schmidt has been an advocate for the U.S. national security establishment, as evidenced by his position as a technical advisor to the Pentagon in 2016, according to Reuters.

Google employees have sometimes protested against tech companies' contracts with federal defense contractors. In 2018, Google announced it would not renew a Pentagon contract to analyze drone videos with AI due to employee protests.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, tech companies have taken measures to prevent their platforms from being used to spread Kremlin propaganda. Facebook, in particular, labeled state-owned outlets as such and refused to suspend the practice, which led to the service being restricted by the government. Later, Meta enabled users to call for the death of Russian invaders, prompting the Russian government to launch a criminal investigation into the company.

Schmidt stated that Western sanctions are effectively returning Moscow to its 1980s state, with food stamps, long lines, and other similarities.

He stated that technology should be kept integrated with information so that Russia's citizens can see what they are missing out on.

From 2001 to 2011, Schmidt was the CEO of Google and held other positions, including executive chairman. He left the company entirely in 2020 and currently serves as co-chair of Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic foundation.