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Tue, 16 Jun 2026

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 Cadbury chocolate-owner Mondelez defends staying in Russia

Mondelez boss Dirk Van de Put says it was the "right decision" to remain after the war with Ukraine.
Mondelez's CEO, Dirk Van de Put, has defended the company's decision to continue operating in Russia despite the country's invasion of Ukraine. He stated that pulling out would risk thousands of jobs and leave Mondelez vulnerable to Kremlin control. The company had already discontinued new investment and suspended advertising spending on its Russian business. Van de Put acknowledged that Mondelez's taxes in Russia are being used to fund the war with Ukraine, but expressed his disapproval. He claimed that staying in Russia was a necessary decision for the company's employees and operations in the country. Mondelez generates around $1-1.4 billion in sales from its Russian business each year. However, the company has faced criticism from MPs and others who have called on Mondelez to sever ties with Russia due to its involvement in the war. Van de Put said that if Mondelez were to leave Russia, the Kremlin would likely confiscate the company's plant and continue to sell its products to fund the war. He believed this outcome was worse than staying and operating in the country. Mondelez also operates in Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict. The CEO stated that an office building in Ukraine had recently been hit by shelling, but fortunately no one was injured. The company has invested tens of millions of dollars to rebuild its manufacturing plants in Ukraine after they were damaged in attacks.