**Putin’s Threats: A New Era of Hostility Towards Western Companies**
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stern warning to Western companies still operating in Russia, calling for them to be “strangled” as retaliation against what he sees as attempts to suffocate the Russian economy. This aggressive stance comes amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and the West over the invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking during a meeting with Russian entrepreneurs, Putin took issue with proposals to merely restrict the work of Western companies, saying instead that they should be forced out altogether. He specifically named Microsoft and Zoom as examples of companies that needed to be targeted. This move is seen as an escalation of Russia’s hostile approach towards foreign businesses, which have been largely withdrawing from the country since the start of the invasion.
**A Pattern of Retaliation**
Russia has long been accused of using its economic power to retaliate against Western countries over their support for Ukraine. The freezing of $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets abroad is just one example of this approach. In some cases, Moscow has even seized assets from companies that remained in the country, further highlighting the increasingly hostile climate.
According to data from the Kyiv School of Economics, hundreds of Western companies have either withdrawn entirely or scaled back their operations in Russia since February 2022. This exodus is seen as a result of public pressure and legal sanctions imposed on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
**A Shift in Rhetoric**
Despite the rhetoric, there are signs that Russia is not giving up on re-engaging with foreign businesses entirely. In February, Putin instructed his government to prepare for the eventual return of Western firms. However, no formal requests have been received from companies seeking re-entry, according to Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former president.
This suggests that while Russia may still be open to allowing some foreign businesses back in, its approach remains fundamentally hostile towards those it sees as opposing its actions. As tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate, it’s clear that Western companies operating in Russia face an uncertain future.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
