Heineken has announced that it will cease all production, advertising, and sale of the Heineken brand in Russia.
The UK’s leading beer business clarified it would take immediate steps to “ring-fence” its Russian businesses from the wider company to prevent the flow of “monies, royalties and dividends” out of Russia.
Additionally, Heineken will no longer accept any net financial benefit from its Russian operation on top of stopping all new investments and exports to Russia.
READ MORE: Heineken to increase beer prices amid inflation
However, the company has also highlighted the difference between Putin’s government and its Russian employees – and said supporting its employees and their families was a “key principle”.
Currently, Russia has agreed to a new 12-hour ceasefire to allow civilians to evacuate the worst-affected areas in Ukraine.
The decision came after 22 people were killed in airstrikes and repeated attempts for civilians to flee Mariupol failed due to Russian attacks continuing.
Heineken has also confirmed it will step up its support and donations to NGOs operating in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.
“The Russian Government’s war against Ukraine is an unprovoked and completely unjustified attack,” Heineken CEO Dolf van den Brink said.
“We are proud of our colleagues and local operating companies for their efforts to help people affected by the war and have fled to safety in neighbouring countries.”
The brewer’s announcement follows Coca Cola, Pepsi and Unilever’s pause on operations in Russia after international consumer pressure.
Click here to sign up to Grocery Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
