Six times more companies pull from Russia now than from South Africa over 20 years of apartheid - Kuleba

Over the 140 days of Russia's barbaric aggression against Ukraine, almost six times more foreign companies left the Russian market than South Africa during the 20 years of apartheid.

This was stated by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, who spoke at an online briefing on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"According to the information of our partners at the Kyiv School of Economics, as of the beginning of this week, 1,157 companies have already left the Russian market, 469 have announced the termination of investments... For comparison: during apartheid in South Africa, for more than 20 years, it was only about 200 companies. In 140 days of barbaric aggression, almost six times more pulled out of Russia," said Kuleba.

The top diplomat noted that operating in Russia today is associated with reputational risks that translate into financial losses, and once again called on international companies that remain there to leave the Russian market.

Since February 24, full-scale Russian military aggression has been ongoing in Ukraine. Democratic nations adopted a number of sanctions against the aggressor power.