Mishustin announced the work of a special commission for decisions on the return of Western brands

Decisions on the return of Western brands to Russia will be made by a special commission, whose members will be guided solely by the national interests of their country. This was announced on March 26 by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, delivering a report to the State Duma.

"On March 18, President [of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin] attended a meeting with representatives of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), where he formulated the basic conditions for the return of Western companies. And we will be guided solely by our national interests," he said.

Priority will be given to companies that have not announced their withdrawal from Russia, continued the activities of their subsidiaries, and treated their teams responsibly.

"Those who left under pressure from [their] governments, retaining jobs, contacts, and technology, even suffered financial losses, leaving behind the opportunity to return, well, why not. Who has unique competencies is also important. And there must be requirements for localization and investments in Russia. But all decisions will be taken individually by a special commission," Mishustin concluded.

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However, decisions will be made individually for each brand.

On March 24, the head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Alexander Shokhin, said that the condition for Western companies to return to Russia was that they did not finance the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). According to him, each investor should have an individual approach with an appropriate level. On March 21, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov noted that the lifting of sanctions was a condition for discussing the return of Western companies to Russia. Russia needs to develop a unified approach to the return of Western companies to the Russian market, this opportunity should not be tabooed, he added.

On March 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced closed-door negotiations with foreign companies on the return of some partners to the Russian market. He noted that the negotiations are taking place calmly, with dignity, with mutual respect and respect for each other's interests.