• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts

2

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts

3

Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it

1

U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts

2

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts

3

Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
CommentaryPolitics
Europe

Why Western companies must stay out of Russia

By
Nezir Sinani
Nezir Sinani
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Nezir Sinani
Nezir Sinani
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 21, 2024, 6:55 AM ET
Nezir Sinani is the executive director of B4Ukraine.
People walk past an ad for contract service in Russian armed forces in a Moscow shopping mall.
People walk past an ad for contract service in Russian armed forces in a Moscow shopping mall.Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

This week marks 1,000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Over this period, the world has witnessed the extraordinary resilience of Ukraine, driven by its citizens’ determination to safeguard their independent state. At the same time, Russia’s aggressive actions have been starkly exposed: over 35,000 civilian casualties, 3.6 million internally displaced people, 6 million refugees, and nearly 150,000 documented war crimes. This unthinkable but all too real evil has been partly underwritten by the tax payments of the Western corporations that have chosen to remain in Russia.

Despite widespread calls for divestment, only 440 (or 28%) of the 1,599 companies with Russian subsidiaries at the start of the full-scale invasion have fully severed ties by selling or liquidating assets in Russia. A further 26% have scaled back their Russia operations and announced plans to leave. Nonetheless, the vast majority remained, contributing not only substantial tax revenue—estimated at $20 billion annually—but also material resources and personnel, as required by Russian law.

Early corporate exits included Levi’s, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Whirlpool, Ford, and Sony Music Group. However, the recent exit of British conglomerate Unilever through the sale of assets to Arnest Group shows that divestment is still possible, even amidst Kremlin-imposed obstacles designed to deter a corporate exodus.

Trump’s re-election and his promises to end the war in “one day” could embolden companies to re-enter Russia in anticipation of a settlement that could be imposed on Ukraine. As a global coalition engaged with dozens of multinational corporations since 2022, we view such discussion as dangerously premature—for both moral and practical reasons.

First, the risk of nationalization in Russia remains extremely high. The expropriation of assets from Danone and Carlsberg is just the beginning, as the Kremlin likely plans more corporate seizures to benefit Putin’s allies in retaliation for the use of Russia’s Central Bank assets. Additionally, Russia plans to increase its corporate tax rate next year, aiming to further fund its illegal war in Ukraine. This move will primarily affect businesses outside Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Second, with mounting evidence of war crimes in Ukraine, companies face risks of complicity and liability for potential future reparations. The U.S. government has clearly warned that businesses operating in Russia or occupied territories of Ukraine are at risk of being implicated in violations of international law and human rights abuses. Other key risks mentioned by the U.S. government include exposure to sanctions, export controls, import prohibitions, and accountability for money laundering and corruption. 

Third, the reputational risks of maintaining operations in Russia are substantial. A recent survey conducted in the U.S., Canada, and Australia found that 77% of consumers would stop buying products from companies still active in Russia, and 71% believe those companies should exit. 

Operating in Russia is reckless and will remain so, regardless of whether a new Trump administration claims to secure a swift ceasefire. Companies that have already made the decision to leave must stand firm in their commitments and encourage peers to withdraw from the Russian market. Any re-entry before Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty is fully restored, war crimes perpetrators are brought to justice, and reparations are addressed will not only tarnish their reputation but also signal corporate complicity in Russia’s ongoing aggression. Instead, businesses should focus on contributing to Ukraine’s recovery—a move that would reflect true corporate responsibility and offer substantial long-term opportunities in a renewed and resilient market.

More must-read commentary published by Fortune:

  • Shell’s Pyrrhic victory may well set the stage for more corporate climate accountability
  • Demis Hassabis-James Manyika: AI will help us understand the very fabric of reality
  • British fintech founder who moved to U.S.: U.K. tech’s problem isn’t taxes—it’s ambition
  • The next wave of AI won’t be driven by LLMs. Here’s what investors should focus on instead

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

About the Author
By Nezir Sinani
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Commentary

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Commentary

m
Commentarymedicine
America’s bone health is quietly headed for a $19 billion crisis
By Matthew T. DrakeJuly 9, 2026
2 days ago
t
CommentaryEducation
AI is about to disrupt millions of jobs. A century ago, America’s answer was to build a new high school
By Tim KnowlesJuly 8, 2026
3 days ago
amit
CommentaryVenture Capital
Physical AI’s $50 trillion opportunity requires long-term conviction, but the payoff is huge 
By Amit ChaturvedyJuly 8, 2026
3 days ago
heat
Commentaryclimate change
McKinsey Global Institute: Climate planning has prioritized floods. Heat demands equal attention
By Sylvain Johansson, Mekala Krishnan, Kanmani Chockalingam and Annabel FarrJuly 7, 2026
4 days ago
j
CommentaryEducation
AI didn’t break higher education—It exposed the credential trap
By Jason BenedictJuly 7, 2026
4 days ago
e
CommentaryEntrepreneurship
I skipped college and founded a company at 18. Several exits later, this is what I learned
By Eric FranciaJuly 7, 2026
4 days ago

Most Popular

U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
Economy
U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year—and is now paying $24 billion a week in interest on its debts
By Eleanor PringleJuly 10, 2026
19 hours ago
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
Success
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott just donated $20 million to support America’s youth mental health, as a fifth of teens struggle with suicidal thoughts
By Emma BurleighJuly 9, 2026
2 days ago
Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
Middle East
Top Iranian officials admitted to the supreme leader that the U.S. naval blockade was crushing the economy, report says, as Trump eyes reimposing it
By Jason MaJuly 10, 2026
14 hours ago
Farm groups saved Bayer in court over RoundUp cancer claims. Five days later, Bayer called for tariffs on the ingredient farmers rely on
Economy
Farm groups saved Bayer in court over RoundUp cancer claims. Five days later, Bayer called for tariffs on the ingredient farmers rely on
By Mia OsmonbekovJuly 9, 2026
2 days ago
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
Environment
Wyoming officials say Meta’s 715,000-square-foot data center is responsible for contaminating its water system with a rare bacterium
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 10, 2026
15 hours ago
Self-made multimillionaire says Canadians 'give no money away' compared with Americans—research shows U.S. giving is more than twice as high
Success
Self-made multimillionaire says Canadians 'give no money away' compared with Americans—research shows U.S. giving is more than twice as high
By Preston ForeJuly 9, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.