President Vladimir Putin warned that if the giant McDonald’s giant McDonald’s decides to return to the country, Russia will not launch a red carpet “.
It has been revealed in the meantime that foreign companies are showing interest in entering the Russian market again.
McDonald’s exited Russia in 2022 after the sanctions imposed by Western countries over Ukraine conflict. The company sold its operations to a Russian investor, who was a franchise partner since 2015 and managed 25 restaurants in Siberia.
These restaurants were again branded under the name “Vkusno I Tochka” (Russian ‘delicious and just so much’) and are being operated in Russia since 12 June 2022.
Speaking at the Kremlin meeting with prominent business leaders, Putin told Vakusno Eye Tochka CEO Oleg Paroyev, “He (McDonald’s) put everyone in a difficult position, ran away, ran away, and now, if they want to come back, should we laying a red carpet for them?”
Putin said that he has tasked the government to create a framework for the possible return of companies wishing to re -enter the Russian market – “peacefully and without any enmity, keeping in mind that the most important thing is to protect the interests of our businesses.”
He assured Russian entrepreneurs of full government support, saying, “There can be no doubt about this. We will work on everything with you, will consider every little thing. But only for our benefits.”
Putin reminded that some major companies working in other sectors of the economy have told him that his foreign partners have indicated that they want to resume business relations.
He said, “I said let them come back, but make sure it is on your terms. If it is beneficial for you, let them come back. If it is effective for you, move forward, if not, if not, we will make it effective. That’s all.”
