Despite recent online speculation, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola have confirmed they have no current plans to resume operations in Russia, citing persistent legal, ethical, and reputational risks. The statements were made in letters to the Ukrainian human rights coalition B4Ukraine and reviewed by Bloomberg News.
In the letter, McDonald’s emphasized that the company continues to stand by the five core principles that guided its 2022 exit from the Russian market. “The principles underlying the criteria we used when making the decision to de-archive a major market and sell the McDonald’s restaurant portfolio remain valid today,” wrote John Banner, the company’s Head of Global Impact.
The five criteria include: compliance with international law, ability to operate freely, brand reputation, alignment with corporate values, and overall business rationale. “In 2022, the answer to each of those questions was ‘no,’” Banner stated.
Coca-Cola echoed similar concerns, noting that ongoing international sanctions and legal restrictions still pose a barrier to any potential return. “Sanctions regimes and other legal obstacles remain in place, which affect any consideration of re-engaging with the Russian market,” the company wrote.
B4Ukraine reached out to several multinational corporations in response to growing rumors—circulated via Russian media and social networks—suggesting that American brands were planning to return. Alongside McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, the group also contacted Apple, Nike, Boeing, Visa, and Mastercard, though none of those companies have yet responded publicly.
The cautious tone of the responses underscores the lingering reputational and compliance challenges facing Western corporations that once operated extensively in Russia. While some Russian outlets have speculated about a Western business comeback, official statements suggest otherwise.
