“We will stop the famous Nestle brands such as KitKat and Nesquik in the future,” the Swiss multinational brand said in a statement. “We have already stopped non-significant imports and exports to and from Russia, stopped all advertising, and stopped all capital investment in the country.”
This move will take place a few days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Nestlé criticized the ongoing relationship with Russia in his speech to the Swiss people.
“‘Good food, good life.’ This is Nestlé’s slogan. Your company refuses to leave Russia,” he said. “Even now-when there is a threat from Russia to other European countries. Not only us, but even when there is a nuclear blackmail from Russia.”
Nestlé (NSRGY), the world’s largest food and beverage company and manufacturer of iconic brands such as Gerber’s baby food, Cheerios and Dreyer’s ice cream, has defended itself since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. , Says that it has undergone major changes.
A Nestlé spokeswoman told CNN Business on Wednesday that it is “focusing on providing essential foods such as baby food and medical / hospital nutrition products.” “This means suspending most of the pre-war volume in Russia.”
Nestlé announced on March 11 that it has stopped exporting products from Russia, except for essentials such as baby food. The company also said it has stopped importing Nespresso and other products into Russia, except for essentials such as baby food, cereals and therapeutic pet food.
Nestlé employs more than 7,000 workers in Russia, most of them locals. The company has previously stated that it has identified solutions for Russian employees and factories, and will continue to pay Russian employees.
Last week, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal criticized Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider for his continued presence in Russia.
“Unfortunately, he doesn’t understand,” Shmyhal wrote on Twitter after talking to Nestlé’s CEO. “Paying taxes on the budget of a terrorist country means killing unprotected children and mothers. I hope Nestlé will change his mind soon.”
–CNN Business’s Chris Liakos and Matt Egan contributed to this report.