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Dirk Van de Put, the chief executive of Mondelez—the company behind Cadbury chocolates—has spoken out in defense of the firm’s choice to maintain its operations in Russia despite widespread criticism. While he acknowledged feeling “not pleased” that the company’s taxes contribute to Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, Van de Put asserted that withdrawing from the market would endanger thousands of jobs and risk Moscow taking control of Mondelez’s local assets.
Van de Put described the decision to remain in Russia following the country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine as “the right decision,” emphasizing that pulling out could have led to confiscation of the company’s facilities and a potentially larger financial gain for the Kremlin through continued sales. In contrast to some Western companies like McDonald’s, which left Russia altogether, Mondelez has suspended new investments and halted advertising activities within the country, aiming to limit its involvement while continuing existing operations.
Mondelez’s Russian division generates annual revenues estimated between $1 billion and $1.4 billion. The company faced pressure last year when over 70 MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine signed a letter urging Van de Put to cut all ties with Russia. Alex Sobel, chair of the group, stated: “Continuing to operate in a nation responsible for the deaths of countless Ukrainian civilians and the abduction of thousands of children cannot be justified under any definition of ‘business as usual’.” In response, Van de Put reiterated his view that remaining was the lesser of two difficult options, given the risks associated with exiting the market entirely.
Despite the continuing conflict, Mondelez remains active in Ukraine itself, running two manufacturing plants—one near the Russian border in Trostyanets and another near Kyiv in Vyshhorod. Van de Put recounted that one of these facilities has been hit twice and rebuilt twice, at a cost of tens of millions of dollars. The company has committed to ongoing investment in the region, doubling employees’ salaries since the conflict began and retaining all staff. He acknowledged the dangers faced by employees on the ground but emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting those working in Ukraine amid the challenging circumstances
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