Putin demands retaliation against lingering Western firms
Vladimir Putin called for "squeezing" Western companies that "have not fully withdrawn from Russia." - I say this without any hesitation because they are trying to squeeze us. We must respond in kind - said the dictator.
Much of the information provided by Russian media or government representatives is part of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information warfare conducted by the Russian Federation.
During a meeting with business representatives, one of the participants suggested a "slight" restriction on the operations of companies such as Zoom or Microsoft, which announced their withdrawal from Russia but in practice are still functioning and occupying their market niches.
Putin: We must squeeze them
- We must squeeze them. I completely agree. I say this without any embarrassment because they are trying to squeeze us. We must respond in kind. We didn’t kick them out, we didn’t bother them, and they are trying to squeeze us. Send me information about who is operating where and which of our large companies are using their services - answered the Russian dictator.
Putin also directed the government to pay attention to foreign sales platforms because – as he stated – through them "you can bring anything to Russia in any quantity." As noted by "Important Stories," mainly Chinese platforms such as AliExpress and Shein are currently operating in Russia.
He added that Russians should be "weaned off the harmful habit" of using foreign companies. The Astra channel pointed out that Putin made these comments into a microphone produced by the German company Bosch.
Fictitious sanctions and exiting Russia
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of Western companies announced that they were withdrawing from the Russian market, suspending operations, or stopping the supply of products or services. This was a gesture of opposition to the war and an attempt to exert economic pressure on the Kremlin.
The problem is that many companies actually stayed in Russia. Some only symbolically limited their operations (e.g., they closed their website but continue to operate through partners). Others formally withdrew, but their products are still available, e.g., through local distributors or online marketing. Companies like Microsoft or Zoom are accused of their technologies still being used in Russia – e.g., by state-owned companies.
At the same meeting, dictator Vladimir Putin made a cynical statement. He claimed that "Russia was literally forced" to start the war with Ukraine. - They are even trying to blame us - he said.
