As more Western sanctions are placed on Russia for its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, multiple companies have suspended operations in the former, including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Pepsi.
Last night, PepsiCo announced it was halting its business in Russia, following rival Coca-Cola doing the same and a targeted #BoycottPepsi campaign on Twitter which gathered huge momentum.
According to CNBC, PepsiCo – which boasts a larger production base in Russia than Coca-Cola – said yesterday it would suspend production and distribution of Pepsi-Cola, 7UP and other soft drink brands, as well as investments and advertising activity.
We are suspending the production and sale of Pepsi and our global beverage brands in Russia. Read our full statement here: https://t.co/jmRKO1MP4h
— PepsiCo (@PepsiCo) March 8, 2022
Pespi joined other Western companies in denouncing the Kremlin’s actions over the past two weeks, including McDonald’s – which owns 84 per cent of its stores in Russia – and which suspended operations in 850 locations.
However, McDonald’s assured it would continue paying its 62,000 employees, most of whom depend on employment for their livelihoods, but stopped short of saying when restaurants would reopen again.
“Our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine,” said McDonald’s president and CEO Chris Kempczinski in an open letter to employees.
We will be temporarily closing all restaurants and pausing all operations in Russia. Click to read the message from our CEO in its entirety: https://t.co/ncoB2A8GC6
— McDonald's (@McDonalds) March 8, 2022
Similarly, Starbucks announced it would cease all of its business activity in Russia, including shipping products.
According to Reuters, Starbucks assured the Kuwait-based Alshaya Group, which operates 100 Starbucks cafes in Russia, will “provide support to the nearly 2,000 partners in Russia who depend on Starbucks for their livelihood.”
Coca-Cola also joined its fellow Western companies in boycotting the warring nation, announcing in a press release posted yesterday, “Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation as circumstances evolve.”
Other global companies to have recently abandoned business in Russia includes Netflix, Levi’s, Burberry, Ikea and Unilever.
