Food ingredients major Kerry Group today announced that it is suspending its operations in Russia and Belarus in response to the attack on Ukraine.
The Irish group said it has scaled back activities in both countries over the last number of weeks and now decided to halt operations following extensive ongoing consultation with stakeholders.
“Kerry Group has continuously monitored the unfolding situation in Ukraine and we are horrified at the escalation of the humanitarian crisis,” it said in a statement.
“This suspension will be managed in an orderly manner, during which the company will continue to pay employees and fulfil our legal obligations.”
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged international companies to turn their backs on the Russian market after the launch last month of what Moscow termed a "special military operation" against its neighbour.
Ukraine said on Saturday its forces had retaken all areas around Kyiv, claiming complete control of the capital region for the first time since Russia launched its invasion on Feb 24. The mayor of Bucha, a liberated town 37 km northwest of the capital, said 300 residents had been killed by the Russian army.
