Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday called for a harsh crackdown on foreign services like Microsoft and Zoom that have announced plans to leave Russia but continue to operate and profit within the country.
Speaking at a business meeting in Moscow, Putin said these companies should be “strangled,” adding, “I say this without embarrassment because they are trying to strangle us.”
Putin also urged Russian citizens to stop using Western services he described as promoting “bad habits.” While he criticized European firms for halting medical equipment deliveries to Russia, he noted that some U.S. companies continue to supply medical gear.
Regarding McDonald’s, which pulled out of Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, Putin was firm: “They put everyone in a difficult position, ran away, and now if they want to come back, should we pave the way for them? Of course not.”
This hardline stance comes amid a wider trend of international companies leaving Russia after its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Nearly 500 global firms—including major brands like FedEx, Unilever, and IKEA—have fully exited the Russian market due to sanctions, ethical concerns, and reputational risks. Despite this, over 2,200 companies continue to operate in Russia, generating significant revenue and tax income that support the government. Many firms face difficulties in fully divesting their assets, while Western companies remain cautious about returning amid ongoing legal and political uncertainties.
Australia’s eSafety regulator has asked gaming companies, including Microsoft and Roblox, to explain how they are protecting children from se...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted three vessels, seizing two of them for alleged maritime violations and transferring them to Iranian shor...
Lufthansa will cut around 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer schedule as it moves to address sharply rising fuel costs linked t...
Foreign investors may face stricter limits on accessing agricultural land in Uzbekistan under proposed reforms aimed at strengthening national cont...
Florida’s Attorney General has launched a criminal probe into ChatGPT and its parent company OpenAI to investigate information the generative...
Australia’s eSafety regulator has asked gaming companies, including Microsoft and Roblox, to explain how they are protecting children from sexual exploitation and radicalisation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted three vessels, seizing two of them for alleged maritime violations and transferring them to Iranian shores, as U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is extending its ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal.
Lufthansa will cut around 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer schedule as it moves to address sharply rising fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict.
Foreign investors may face stricter limits on accessing agricultural land in Uzbekistan under proposed reforms aimed at strengthening national control and improving land-use efficiency.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.
A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in Kyiv on Saturday (18 April) had quarrelled with his neighbour before he opened fire on passersby, public broadcaster Suspilne cited Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as saying on Tuesday.
Australia’s eSafety regulator has asked gaming companies, including Microsoft and Roblox, to explain how they are protecting children from sexual exploitation and radicalisation.
Florida’s Attorney General has launched a criminal probe into ChatGPT and its parent company OpenAI to investigate information the generative AI tool allegedly provided to a gunman who killed two people at Florida State University last year.
MMilitary planners from more than 30 countries are holding two-day talks in London from Wednesday to advance plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukraine is set to resume oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline on Wednesday, in a move Kyiv hopes will unlock a frozen €90 billion European Union aid package and ease tensions with key European partners.
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