Full Breakdown
Mondelez Defends Continued Operations in Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict
6/17/2026, 11:07:51 PM
Core Decision: Maintaining Russian Business
Mondelez International’s chief executive, Dirk Van de Put, affirmed that staying in the Russian market is “the right decision” for the company. He argued that withdrawal would jeopardise thousands of jobs and could lead the Kremlin to seize the firm’s assets, potentially increasing revenue for the war effort.
Background: Western Corporate Exits and the 2022 Invasion
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted many Western firms, including McDonald’s, to suspend or end operations in the country. Mondelez, however, chose to keep its Russian business active while halting new investment and advertising spend.
Key Figures: Dirk Van de Put and Parliamentary Critics
- Dirk Van de Put – CEO of Mondelez International, responsible for the company’s global strategy and public statements on the Russia-Ukraine issue.
- Alex Sobel – Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine, leading a cross-party effort to pressure companies operating in Russia.
Financial Impact: Sales and Tax Contributions
Mondelez generates between $1 billion and $1.4 billion in annual sales from its Russian operations. The company acknowledges that taxes paid in Russia “help the war,” a point highlighted by Van de Put. In Ukraine, rebuilding costs have reached “tens of millions” after repeated plant damage.
Official Statements & Corporate Rationale
Van de Put emphasized a neutral stance in the conflict, stating the firm is not taking sides and is focused on protecting employees and assets. He warned that a forced exit could result in confiscation of the company’s plant, thereby providing the Russian state with a larger source of income from Mondelez products.
Criticism & Opposition from UK Parliament
More than 70 MPs signed a letter urging Mondelez to sever ties with Russia, arguing that operating in a nation responsible for civilian deaths and child abductions “cannot be justified under any definition of ‘business as usual’.” The parliamentary group’s chair, Alex Sobel, framed continued operations as morally untenable.
On-the-Ground Impact in Ukraine
Mondelez runs two manufacturing sites in Ukraine—one in Trostyanets and another in Vyshhorod. Both facilities have been struck; the Trostyanets plant was hit twice and rebuilt each time. The company has doubled employee salaries since the conflict began and has not laid off staff, despite the heightened danger.
Conflicting Reports & Data Gaps
Sources provide a sales range ($1 bn–$1.4 bn) rather than a precise figure, leaving the exact contribution of Russian taxes to the war effort unclear. Additionally, the total number of employees retained in Russia and Ukraine is not disclosed, limiting assessment of the company’s broader social impact.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think over time you try to be neutral in the whole conflict. We're not trying to take any side.” — Dirk Van de Put, CEO, Mondelez International
- “Alex Sobel, chair of the parliamentary group, wrote: "Continuing to operate in a nation responsible for the deaths of countless Ukrainian civilians and the abduction of thousands of children cannot be justified under any definition of 'business as usual'.” — Alex Sobel, Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine
- “It would have probably given them a much bigger source of income, keep on selling our products to fund the war.” — Dirk Van de Put
Outlook: Future Commitments and Risks
Mondelez has pledged to continue rebuilding its Ukrainian facilities and to maintain its Russian operations, citing employee safety and asset protection. The company’s stance suggests ongoing exposure to geopolitical risk, while parliamentary pressure in the UK may intensify calls for a strategic reassessment.
