Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia did not expel Western companies from its market, Kommersant reports.
At the same time, he emphasized that it would not be easy for them to return, since Russian brands have already occupied the niches that they vacated.
“The issue is not in us, but in the political decisions that are made at the level of the European Commission and in individual European countries,” he said at the plenary session of the VTB forum “Russia Calling!”
According to the Russian president, the place of Western companies has quickly begun to be taken by enterprises from other countries, in addition, import substitution with Russian goods is underway. However, Putin added: “Our doors are open.”
According to Putin, about a quarter of foreign companies have completely left Russia, and the rest continue to work in the country in one way or another. He emphasized that Russia did not expel Western businesses.