Nestle claims it is not profiting from Russia business following Zelenskyy call out

The Ukrainian government has been singling Nestle out as one of the companies that hasn’t fully suspended activities in Russia. File picture

Nestle has said it doesn’t make a profit from its remaining activities in Russia, as the world’s largest food maker increasingly comes under pressure to completely stop operating in the country amid the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy called out Nestle for still doing business in Russia in a streamed speech to thousands of protesters in Switzerland’s capital of Bern on Saturday.

Earlier this month, the Swiss company halted shipments of non-essential products to Russia such as Nespresso capsules and San Pellegrino bottled water. 

However, it keeps selling baby food, cereals and some pet foods there.

“We do not make a profit from our remaining activities,” a spokesperson said. 

The fact that we, like other food companies, supply the population with important food does not mean that we simply continue as before.” 

The Ukrainian government has been singling Nestle out as one of the companies that hasn’t fully suspended activities in Russia.

Prime minister Denys Shmyhal sent a tweet last week, saying chief executive Mark Schneider has shown no understanding and that he hoped he would soon change his mind.

“We are doing whatever we can in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to help alleviate this humanitarian catastrophe,” Nestle said.

“We are still one of the few active food companies in Ukraine and sometimes even manage to distribute food in Kharkiv.” 

 -Bloomberg