Putin Directs Preparations for Return of Foreign Businesses

(MENAFN) President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian administration to begin preparing conditions that would enable the reentry of international companies that withdrew from the Russian market following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict.

A significant number of prominent firms, among them American giants like Microsoft and McDonald’s, severed their business operations with Russia in 2022, pointing to the initiation of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine as the reason.

The departure of these international companies was further driven by broad sanctions introduced by Western nations against Moscow.

Putin has consistently stated that these foreign enterprises exited voluntarily, and has emphasized that Russia remains receptive to their return.

Nonetheless, he has made it clear that the priorities of domestic Russian businesses must be safeguarded.

Following discussions with the national business advocacy group Delovaya Rossiya on Monday, Putin tasked the government with evaluating suggestions related to the circumstances under which “individuals from unfriendly foreign countries” might be allowed to conduct commercial activities within Russia, as well as purchase assets such as property and shares.

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