Around one fifth of Western firms left Russia, those remaining operate responsibly
- ~80% of Western firms have defied their own governments and stayed in Russia, per Putin's business czar, Alexander Shokhin.
- Those that fled: 15-20%. Those that stayed are allegedly toeing the line on taxes and 'social responsibility' to avoid seizure by Russian state managers.
- Shokhin cheerfully embraces US sanctions on his RSPP union, calling it a 'positive' certification that his group builds Russia's defense and tech might.
- He warns 'conscientious' Western firms are 'on the front line' and will pay for geopolitical sins of the State Department — because Moscow can't sanction the departed.
- Western execs are reportedly told by HQ to keep a low profile to avoid drawing Putin's attention, yet Shokhin expects them to still show up at the St. Petersburg forum. Cowards.
Brief Summary
In a stunning display of diplomatic gaslighting, Kremlin business fixer Alexander Shokhin tells TASS that the West's corporate exodus is a myth. He claims 80% of Western companies stuck around in Russia post-invasion, and they're not just surviving—they're thriving as 'conscientious employers' who happily pay their taxes and cower in fear of Kremlin retaliation. You know, the good kind of hostage.
For those who did bug out, Shokhin assures us that Moscow simply couldn't be bothered to retaliate properly because you can't sanction someone who isn't there. Meanwhile, he proudly wears the US sanctions against his own RSPP as a badge of honor, insisting it's proof his club of oligarchs is doing a bang-up job funding Russia's defense. The message is clear: Stay, pay, and keep your mouth shut, or else your Russian subsidiary gets a new 'temporary' government-appointed boss.
Why This Matters
This is your brutal reality check on 'corporate responsibility' in a war-torn economy. Every time you see a brand like Danone or Renault claiming they 'exited' Russia, this story suggests the real numbers say most of them are still cashing cheques and keeping the lights on in Moscow. Your wallet is funding operations that keep Putin's war machine well-oiled, whether you like it or not.
Moreover, this story is a shot of pure paranoia for the global market. It means sanctions aren't just about geopolitics—they're about choosing which firms become the sacrificial lamb. For the consumer, 'boycotting' is a sham; these brands are legally bound not to tell you they're still in Russia. It's time to question every 'we've left' press release and realize the globalist handshake between Western capital and Russian oligarchs is alive and well, just quieter.