Volodymyr Zelenskyy attack them Renault guilty of continuing to do business in Russia, and the French auto giant gives up, announcing in the evening that it has ceased operations at the Moscow plant. The Ukrainian president has attacked several French groups, including Renault, accused of sponsoring the war in Ukraine. A little later the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Mytro Kulebaincreases the dose by even asking “a worldwide boycott“of the famous car manufacturer.
“French companies the leader of Kyiv had warned in his video transmission speech to the Paris Parliament must leave the Russian market. Renault, Auchan, Leroy Merlin and others must stop sponsoring Russia’s war machine. And again: “They must stop funding the murder of women and children, funding rape. Everyone will remember that values count for more than profits. Renault one of the iconic brands of France, of which the state is the main shareholder yesterday confirmed the reopening of its Moscow plant, where production is located, from March 21 resumed regularly. The historic “Régie”, led by Luca De Meo, halted production at the plant last month, citing logistical problems following the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s troops. Russia is the reason for the decision the second largest automotive group market after Europe, the manufacturer is primarily present with its subsidiary AvtoVAZ, which stopped part of its production in midMarch due to a shortage of components due to western sanctions against Moscow.
Leroy Merlin is also very present in Russia, the second largest market after France, with 36,000 employees in 107 hypermarkets and 62 cities. Employees of the famous chain of DIY stores in Ukraine last Monday asked the French brand to suspend operations in Russia after the bombing of one of its stores in Kyiv. However, the company confirmed that it has no plans to close its stores in the Federation. Auchan is very popular in Russia, with 231 supermarkets and sales of 3.2 billion euros, accounting for over 10% of global business.
Before the deputies and senators met for a joint session in Paris, Zelensky he also referred to the “Ruins of Verdun“during World War I to denounce the spiral of death and devastation committed by the Russian army at Mariupol. After saying he was “grateful” for Emmanuel Macron’s “efforts,” the Ukrainian leader called for more support from France to halt what he defined “A war against liberty, equality and fraternity”referring to the founding values of the République which, as Zelensky observed to the applause of the classroom, “united Europe”.
French parliamentarians welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who speaks via video conference in front of the French parliament in assembled chambers. The President of Ukraine’s speech is expected after introductory speeches by Senate President Gerard Larcher and National Assembly President Richard Ferrand, both of whom expressed great admiration for Zelenskyy. “After almost a month of war, Ukrainians are fighting heroically against Russian aggression,” Ferrand said, assuring Zelenskyy all of France’s support.
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