Dirk Van de Put, CEO of Mondelez, which owns Cadbury, has justified the company's decision to remain in Russia despite the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. He acknowledged the moral complexities, particularly regarding taxes that may support the war, but emphasized the potential job losses and risks of asset confiscation if they withdrew. Mondelez has halted new investments and advertising in Russia since the invasion began in 2022.
The company reportedly generates significant revenue from its Russian operations, estimated between $1 billion and $1.4 billion annually. Van de Put stated that maintaining operations is crucial for the safety of employees and the stability of the business in a challenging environment, where they have also increased salaries and committed to rebuilding facilities affected by conflict.