Russia-Ukraine War: Nestle faces flak for supply to Russia, 'not too late to stop'

Swiss food conglomerate Nestle is facing intense backlash over its decision to continue essential supplies in Russia, inspite of scores of companies having exited Russia and multiple calls from Ukrain's top leership urging company to halt Russian supplies.

Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba suggested to Nestle that it's still not too late to leave Ukraine. company should stop business activities, as it amounts to assisting Russia to continue its war crimes. He tweeted on March 18, "By refusing to stop business activities in Russia, allows Russia’s war of aggression in Europe to continue. Long-term damage to company’s reputation is proportionate to scale of Russian war crimes in Ukraine (enormous). Not too late to change your mind, Nestle."

Nestle unresponsive to calls to halt essential supplies in Russia

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on March 17, spoke with Nestle CEO, Mark Schneider to apprise him of side-effects of continuing to operate in Russia, ending up as funding a terrorist country and being responsible for killing defenceless childrens and mors. He tweeted on March17, "Talked to@Nestle CEO Mr. Mark Schneider about side effect of staying in Russian market. Unfortunately, he shows no understanding. Paying taxes to budget of a terrorist country means killing defenseless children&mors. Hope that Nestle will change its mind soon,"

Ukraine Member of Parliament Roman Hryschuk also accused Nestle of funding war in Ukraine. He tweeted on March 17, "Companies like Nestle are financing war"
 

Nestle's rebuttal to se accusations has been formal response from CEO issued on March 2. statement issued, said, Nestle has partnered with International Federation of Red Cross Societies (IFRC) to donate shelter, basic aid items, etc. Swiss major has also come under severe criticism on social media. Stratcom Centre UA, a strategic communications company under Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, tweeted,

"Nestlé continues paying taxes to budget of a terrorist state, financing indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian civilians. How many more children have to die before @nestle and or companies, still operating in Russia, finally cut ties with aggressor? #StopRussia"

Nestle on March 10, h announced halt of capital investment in Russia against Russian invasion in Ukraine. Meanwhile hundreds of companies have withdrwan from Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on March 15 h asked Nestle and or companies to leave Russia.