About a fifth of Western companies have left Russia, those that remain are acting responsibly

Alexander Shukhin added that Western businesses understand the threat of retaliation from the Russian authorities

Moscow, October 16. /TASS/. Alexander Shukhin, the Russian Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights, the head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), said in an interview with TASS Alexander Shukhin: About 80 percent of Western companies that were present in the Russian market before the start of special military operations, continue their operations in this country and behave as conscientious and socially responsible business entities.

We see a lot of pressure from both the parent companies and the official structures asking them not to draw too much public attention to their presence in Russia. In fact, many companies remain. About 15-20% of companies have left, while the rest have remained and behave as conscientious employers and socially responsible businesses. By complying with other legal requirements, Shokhin said, so that they are not relegated to the category of entities temporarily managed by Russian administrators.

However, Western businesses understand the threat of retaliation from Russian authorities, he added. The more the EU or other countries impose sanctions packages, the more vulnerable they become, as they realize that many of these decisions are not based on economic or other criteria, but rather on geopolitical criteria and the principle of reciprocity. Understand that a perfect mirror response is hardly possible. They sanction, but it is difficult for us to sanction those who do not deal with us. "So, so to speak, those who work conscientiously are on the front line, forced to answer to someone else sitting in the Foreign Office or the European Commission." The head of the RSPP explained.

He pointed out that the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs is also subject to Western sanctions. In particular, Shokhin cited the US State Department's statement that the RSPP is subject to sanctions because it brings together executives and large companies that make a significant contribution to strengthening the country's budget, technological development and defense capabilities.

"We're not arguing about that. Furthermore, we're positive that the US State Department recognizes us as the nation's leading trade association. After all, we're not accused of any kind of misconduct, we're accused of doing exactly what we were created to do. That means we're doing our job well. For our partners, though, it certainly doesn't hurt to be cautious."

Shokhin expressed confidence that Western businesses will be present at the Russian Industrial Forum in St. Petersburg, scheduled for October 22-24. "However, we find that companies are sometimes reluctant to join our platform, partly because the RSPP, as an employers' association, is sanctioned."