Zakharova called Western brands tools of unfriendly regimes

The beginning of a dialog on the return of the departed Western European clothing brands to Russia should be perceived as a continuation of their use as tools of the West's hybrid warfare against Russia. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova on February 19.

The diplomat noted that large firms left the Russian market not because someone prevented them from making money here, but because their masters in Brussels ordered them to do so.

"And since that is the case, this is how they should now be perceived: not as economic operators, but as tools used by unfriendly regimes in a hybrid war against Russia. They themselves have agreed to this. Some of these companies have been sponsoring the murders of our citizens for three years," Zakharova said in her Telegram channel.

She expressed confidence that the Russian authorities, when deciding what to do with such "prodigals," will give guarantees to domestic producers that "they will not be traded for French rags and Italian slippers."

"Our manufacturers must know that their contribution to the SWO will not be betrayed. <...> Let Europe learn for all eternity: a single word from the statesmen of their country of origin questioning the outcome of World War II, the feat of the Red Army and the Soviet people in defeating Nazism/Fascism, and their companies will feel the consequences. This applies equally to the memory of our heroes of the NWO," she summarized.

The pushed-back past: foreign brands will pay for returning to Russia

How much will the return "entrance ticket" to domestic shopping centers cost Western clothing manufacturers?

Earlier on February 19, the Russian Council of Shopping Centers (RSTC) told Izvestia that major foreign clothing brands, which left the country in 2022-2023, have returned to dialogue with domestic shopping centers. We are talking about European business - for example, the holding Inditex (it develops such brands as Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius and Massimo Dutti). At the same time, the parties are not discussing any specific terms, but it is already clear that the return to the domestic market will be long and difficult.

Spanish company Inditex (owner of Zara, Bershka and Pull&Bear brands) informed Izvestia on February 18 that in case of return to Russia it is ready to coexist with Daher Group (owner of Maag, Ecru, Dub), which bought the Russian business of the western firm in 2022.

At the same time, analysts of the Kokoc Group platform predicted a massive return of foreign companies to Russia. In 2025, 350 foreign brands that left the Russian market in 2022 may return to the country. On February 17, Pavel Lyulin, vice president of the Union of Shopping Centers (STC), said that it would take at least a year for foreign brands to return to the Russian market.