Remember me
The boss of Cadbury’s owner Mondelez has defended its ‘tough’ decision to keep operating in Russia.
Mondelez has come under heavy criticism for not following other western companies in exiting the country after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched in 2022.
The group has since earned billions in sales there.
Dirk Van de Put told the BBC: ‘Leaving Russia would probably have left 3,000 of our people without a job and probably 10,000 farmers.
It’s not an easy decision. Can we be criticised for that? Yes. We pay taxes in Russia that helps the war. I’m not pleased about that.’
Van de Put added that ‘with all these conflicts going on’ governments were ‘trying to use companies’ as instruments of foreign policy, citing US firms ‘forbidden to do business in China’.
Bitter taste: Mondelez boss Dirk Van de Put, pictured, has defended its ‘tough’ decision to keep operating in Russia
DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS
AJ BellAJ BellEasy investing and ready-made portfolios
Hargreaves LansdownHargreaves LansdownFree fund dealing and investment ideas
interactive investorinteractive investorFlat-fee investing from £4.99 per month
FreetradeFreetradeInvesting Isa now free on basic plan
Trading 212Trading 212Free share dealing and no account fee
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.
Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Cadbury-owner Mondelez defends decision to continue trading in Russia