We Must Suffocate Them: Putin

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has stated that the return of foreign companies to the Russian market should be beneficial for Russia. “I have already set such a task before the government—to calmly, without haste, develop a program for the possible return of those interested. But, considering solely the interests of our entrepreneurs. There should be no doubt about this. We will develop everything together with you—even the details. Everything will be competently and beneficial for us,” said Putin.

According to him, if Western partners return, Russian companies must timely provide favorable conditions for themselves. “Some large companies that operate in other sectors of the economy are already coming to me and saying, ‘Our partners are sending signals; they want to return.’ I say, ‘Please, let them return. Just think about what conditions. If that is beneficial for you, please! If something is not beneficial, let’s make it advantageous,” the Russian president added.

He promised the management of the 'Delicious, and That’s It' food chain assistance from the authorities in regulating McDonald's potential return to Russia. “We have all the tools. I repeat, we did not expel them; those who left did so on their own... I do, however, have a primary education in law, so I know what it is. If you give me a sample of the contract, I will show you everything right now about how and what should be done. We have good specialists. We will definitely help you. Don’t even doubt it,” Putin stated.

Stanislav Yodkovsky, the Director General of the 'IVA' NGO, addressed in his speech the issue of foreign companies that “have not completely left” Russia. “Perhaps, as a tool, a slight limitation of services can be applied to companies that have not completely left, for example, Zoom or Microsoft, which continue to operate,” he suggested.

Putin supported the proposal, declaring that “such companies must be suffocated.” “We must suffocate them. I completely agree. I say this without shame. Because they are trying to suffocate us, we must respond mutually. That’s it. We have not expelled anyone, we have not interfered with anyone. We have created the most favorable conditions for them to work here, in our market, while they are trying to suffocate us. We must respond to them mutually, act in a mirrored way,” he concluded.