Western Companies Reportedly Show No Plans to Return to Russia

Many of the Western businesses that exited Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 are not planning a return, despite growing speculation within Russia. According to The Bell, none of the 21 companies that responded to its survey confirmed intentions to resume operations in the country.

Discussions about the potential return of foreign firms have intensified in Russia, particularly as relations between Moscow and the new US administration show signs of improvement. However, Russian authorities have made it clear that returning companies should not expect special treatment.

Journalists from The Bell reached out to more than 60 major foreign companies that had previously withdrawn from Russia. Among those that responded, firms such as Nokian Tyres (Finland), ELKO Group (Latvia), VEON (Netherlands), IKEA (Netherlands), Henkel (Germany), Nissan (Japan), Decathlon (France), and Wintershall Dea (Germany) explicitly stated they had no plans to return.

Three companies—Baker Hughes (US), Otis (US), and Bosch (Germany)—said they were monitoring the situation but did not indicate any concrete plans for re-entry.

Major corporations, including Apple, Microsoft, Inditex (owner of Zara and Massimo Dutti), Uniqlo, Starbucks, Ford, Visa, and Mastercard, did not respond to inquiries.

Previously, Latvia’s national airline, AirBaltic, said it was never in a position to purchase fuel from Russia, nor was there any need to do so, dismissing reports of a possible sanctions violation as inaccurate and misleading.