Unilever has been criticized for continuing to sell products in Russia. Photo: Chris J. Ratcliffe
The new Unilever chief executive has promised war to veterans Ukraine that he will take a “fresh eye” on the decision to keep his business in Russia as Marmite is under constant fire.
In the letter, Seen by The Telegraph, Hein Schumacher vowed to reassess the food giant's stance toward Russia in his new chief executive position after receiving a personal request from a Ukrainian soldier.
He said that he was “only a few weeks in this role” and has a new perspective on everything.
Mr. Schumacher wrote in response to Ukrainian veteran Oleg Simoroz's demand that Unilever “end its ongoing complicity” in the war in Ukraine.
While other companies, including Coca-Cola and McDonald's , left the region after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Unilever continues to sell what it considers “everyday essentials” in the country, including ice cream.
The company, which prides itself on its “social purpose”, claims that neither option is desirable for its Russian business and that there is a risk that the Kremlin could potentially “receive additional benefits” by selling the business.
Unilever has pledged to keep its operations under “close scrutiny” but has so far argued that continuing to sell in Russia is “the best option both to avoid the risk of our business being taken over by the Russian state, directly or indirectly, and help protect our people.”
However, this position has been criticized in recent months. Christopher Steele, the former MI6 officer who was behind the so-called Trump-Russia dossier, told The Telegraph that the business environment in Russia is “deteriorating all the time” and concepts like “contract and legal ownership are basically thrown to the wind.” “. .
Hein Schumacher promised to rethink Unilever's position on Russia in his new CEO position. Photo: UNILEVER/FRIESLANDCAMPINA/REUTERS
He said several businesses have recently been subject to “raids” where companies are forced to sell at heavily discounted prices and cannot refuse. “It's not enough for the CEO to say that the least bad option is to stay put and nothing.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian campaign groups are pressuring companies to leave Russia.
Mr. Simoroz had both legs amputated after a Russian anti-tank mine exploded during fighting in eastern Ukraine and starred in an ad campaign near Unilever's London headquarters that criticized the company for not leaving Russia.
Earlier this month, he wrote to Mr. Schumacher, urging the boss to “use [his] new position to make meaningful changes in Ukraine.”
Mr. Schumacher told Mr. Simoroz that he “I am deeply saddened to hear about the fatal injuries you received while on the front line in the Donbass.”
Ukrainian activists said the comments were a step in the right direction. Valeriya Voshchevskaya of the Ukrainian Solidarity Project said: “It is encouraging to hear that the new CEO of Unilever is taking a fresh look at its activities in Russia.
“The damage done to the company will not be immediately visible. it benefits both the company's reputation and the people of Ukraine by helping to fund Putin's war machine.”
Last month, the Ukrainian government named Unilever as a sponsor of the war after it continued to pay a total of 3,000 in taxes in Russia. 8bn rubles (£33m) last year.
He will also allow thousands of his Russian workers to be drafted to fight in Ukraine, saying last month he “always respects all the laws of the countries in which we working.”
The company has historically advertised its “social goals” with Ben & The Jerry brand in particular is known for its strong stance on social issues and geopolitics. Last year, an ice cream brand criticized Joe Biden for “fanning the flames of war” in Ukraine by sending troops into the country.
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