Russia Wants Western Companies to Return, Kremlin Signals

Russia is open to the return of Western companies, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, while stressing that conditions would apply.

Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, EU and US sanctions hit the country’s economy hard, prompting an exodus of Western firms.

Peskov clarified that companies could resume operations in Russia provided they had fulfilled their obligations to the Russian state and had not supported the Ukrainian military.

“It would be wrong to say we are not interested in their return. Of course, we need to conduct very careful dialogue with them, within a framework of respect, while protecting our own interests.”

However, Peskov shut the door on those who backed Kyiv:

“These companies are in an enemy position, and they should be treated as such.”

Reuters previously reported that the exit of Western firms has cost them a combined $107 billion — a loss that has also weighed heavily on Russia itself.

Source: Reuters/Independent

Photo: AP