Dutch brewer Heineken apologized on Tuesday for creating “ambiguity” over its pledge to leave Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, insisting it still plans to do so, AFP reported.
The group, the world’s second-largest brewer after AB InBev, said in February it intended to exit Russia “in 2023” after a Dutch investigative website accused it of maintaining operations in the country even though he announced his resignation in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Heineken says it has yet to find a buyer for its Russian operations due to difficult conditions and red tape.
The brewer has been the target of calls for a boycott on social media after the FollowTheMoney platform revealed it was involved in a series of scams in February.
Although Heineken stopped selling its namesake beer in Russia, it approved the launch of 61 new products on the Russian market, including at least three types of beer under the Amstel brand, the platform reported.
“We recognize that we should have been more clear about the need to introduce new products earlier, and the questions that have arisen in this regard are understandable,” Heineken said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We understand that this has created ambiguity and doubts about our promise to leave Russia. We apologize for that,” added the brewer.
But “there is no ambiguity about our promise: we will leave Russia,” continued the group, which initially denied on February 22 that it had broken its promise to leave Russia.
Reiterating many of the same points on Tuesday, he said he was trying to “secure the future of livelihoods” of workers in Russia and “avoid the nationalization” of businesses that would benefit Moscow.
“It’s hard to close a deal in Russia right now because the rules are constantly changing,” Heineken said.
“We fully understand our frustration that the sale has not yet been completed. We are also disappointed with the length of the process,” the brewer added.
Heineken is among major brands, including Apple, McDonald’s and others, that have announced their exit from Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. (photo: Dreamstime)
Source: Hot News
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