Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Congress of the Russian Union of Industry and Entrepreneurs, in Moscow, March 18, 2025. Photo: Maxim Shemetov / AFP / Profimedia
The Russian president has already charged the government with the elaboration of a legal framework for the possible return of companies that want to return to the Russian market.
Russia will not “stretch the red carpet” for McDonald's if it decides to bring the golden arches back to the country, said President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with business leaders, Tass writes.
“[McDonald’s] They put them all in a difficult position, they fled, and now, if they want to return, should we spread their red carpet? Of course not. We talked to my colleagues and we have already charged the Government with the elaboration of a framework for the possible return of companies that want to return to the Russian market-calmly and without hostility, taking into account the fact that the most important thing is to protect the interests of our business ”, stressed the president in a conversation with Oleg paroyev, the general director of the Russian chain” McDonald's restaurant under the Russian brand.
“Together with you, we will work on all aspects, we will think everything, until the last detail. But only to our advantage,” Putin continued.
Putin reminded that some big companies operating in other sectors of the economy have already addressed them and said that their foreign partners indicated that they want to return.
“I answered-let them return, but make sure they do it in your conditions. If it is advantageous for you, let them return. If it works for you, do it, if not, we will do as you say. That is,” Putin said.
McDonald's decided to leave the Russian market in 2022, selling the company of a Russian investor, entrepreneur Alexander Govor, who had been a 2015 McDonald's franchise partner, managing 25 restaurants in Siberia. The Vkusno I Tochka chain operates in Russia from June 12, 2022.
