Unilever suspends all Russian imports and exports, stops media and ad spend
The tidal wave of businesses pulling out of Russia gains momentum as Unilever suspends all importing and exporting of its products into and out of Russia. It has also ceased all media and advertising spending within the country.
Unilever joins the mass of companies ceasing Russian operations. / Adobe Stock
Unilever became the latest major corporation to cease business operations with Russia. Unilever chief executive Alan Jope announced in a statement today that Unilever’s business operations in Ukraine have stopped. This includes all imports and exports of its products into and out of the country. It has also stopped any and all media and ad spending.
“We will not invest any further capital into the country nor will we profit from our presence in Russia,” said Jope in a statement. “We will continue to supply our everyday essential food and hygiene products made in Russia to people in the country. We will keep this under close review.”
Unilever’s Jope said these actions came as “we continue to condemn the war in Ukraine as a brutal and senseless act by the Russian state… We join calls for an end to this war and hope that peace, human rights, and the international rule of law will prevail.”
Unilever will focus on ensuring the safety of its employees and families. This includes helping with evacuations, financial support as well as $6.6 million in donations of Unilever product to humanitarian relief efforts. Unilever products include Dove, Hellmann’s, Knorr, Lipton and other top brands.
Earlier today, McDonald’s closed its restaurants in Russia and Procter & Gamble suspended many of its activities throughout the country.