Nestle was designated a “sponsor of war” by Kyiv on Thursday in response to the Kit Kat maker’s ongoing activities in Russia.
Following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year, hundreds of Western corporations left the Russian market, and Kyiv has not shied away from openly criticizing those that have stayed.
“Despite Russian aggression, Nestle continues to operate in Russia, supply goods to the aggressor, and expand its Russian production base,” Ukraine’s anti-corruption office stated on Thursday.
“This is the basis for the company being entered into the list of international sponsors of war,” the statement said.
Nestle has declined to comment on the designation.
Nestle previously said that it had “dramatically reduced” its portfolio in Russia, terminated any future investment, suspended advertising, and was “fully committed” to the country.
observing all relevant international sanctions.”
Nestle has a slew of household food and beverage brands, including Nescafe and Nestea, as well as Haagen-Dazs ice cream and Purina pet food.
“We stand with the people of Ukraine and our 5,500 employees there,” Nestle said in a statement on its website.
Its efforts in Russia, according to the company, are “focused on providing essential and basic foods to the local people.”
Nestle employed over 7,000 workers in Russia before to the conflict, and its 2022 annual report states that the company had six plants in the nation.
