Brigadier General James Monroe Williams

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International Sponsors of War (Ukrainian: Міжнародні спонсори війни, romanized: Mižnarodni sponsory vijny) was a list of companies and individuals maintained by the Ukrainian National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) in connection with the Russo-Ukrainian War, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It had no legal standing but was nonetheless impactful.[1] By December 2023, the list included 46 companies from 17 countries and 261 individuals who, by doing business with Russia, increase Russian revenues and ultimately Russian military budget in the ongoing war with Ukraine.[a] The list is contrasted with international boycott of Russia when by 2023 more than 1000 companies withdrew or divested themselves from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.[3] NACP viewed the list as a reputational instrument for elements of global supply chains, aimed at reducing Russia's financial and technological capability to damage Ukraine. In September 2022 the list was included into London Stock Exchange Group's database.[4] Some companies among International Sponsors of War are also restricted in other countries.

The process of removal from the list was arbitrary and decided by the NACP on the one to one basis.[5] Some companies have been removed from the list, as they ceased business with Russia and condemned the war. In June 2023, media outlets also reported the removal of five Greek tanker companies from the list,[6][7] however the NACP kept them as they did not publicly condemn the invasion.[5] In March 2024, the list of International Sponsors of War was abolished by the NACP and its data were moved to the Interdepartmental Working Group on Implementation of the State Sanctions Policy (IWG).

Companies

List

Name Country Branch Notes Date
Alibaba Group Holding Limited  China Various Through AliExpress in Russia the company provides an international platform for the sale of foreign goods.[8] 2023
Auchan  France Retail According to NACP, after the invasion of Ukraine, Auchan's Russian subsidiary continued to pay taxes to the Russian budget, supply goods to the Russian military in the occupied Ukrainian territories under the guise of humanitarian aid and help Russian military offices recruit conscripts.[9] In 2021 Auchan generated 3.2 billion euros in Russia, 10% of total revenue at Auchan Retail.[10] 2022
Barry Callebaut   Switzerland Cocoa and chocolate Continuing to operate 3 factories in Russia, paid $33 million in taxes in 2022 and their products are used in dry rations of the Russian army.[11] 2024
Bacardi  Bermuda Liquors The company's Russian division, Bacardi Rus', paid more than 1.2 billion rubles (more than US$12 million) in income tax to the Russian budget.[12] 2023
Bolero Group  Georgia Wines Increased exports of Georgian wine to Russia and dealings with sanctioned businessmen. Owner is a Russian citizen.[13] 2023
Bonduelle  France Food Although the company stated it suspended all investment projects in Russia and decided to dedicate all profits from sales in Russia to the future reconstruction of Ukraine, it also announced its intention to continue operation in Russia.[14] 2023
Buzzi Unicem  Italy Construction Buzzi Unicem operates in Russia through SLK Cement LLC which cooperates with the Russian Ministry of Defense and supplies its products to major Russian state enterprises, such as Rosneft and Rosatom.[15] 2023
Camozzi Group  Italy Automative solutions Continuing activity in occupied Crimea.[16] 2023
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC)  China Oil Arctic oil investment.[17] 2023
China National Petroleum Corporation  China Oil Investment in Russia.[17] 2023
China Railway Construction Corporation  China Construction Operating in Russia for over six years; in discussions to build a tunnel to Crimea.[citation needed] 2023
China State Construction Engineering Corporation  China Construction In 2021, the company's subsidiaries in Russia (Kitaystroy LLC and Chinastroy front LLC) paid 192.6 million and 8.5 million rubles in taxes, respectively.[18] After the Russian invasion of Ukraine the company continued its cooperation with Russia.[18] 2023
CK Birla Group  India Transport technology NBC Bearings, a brand of National Engineering Industries Limited (NEI), itself part of the CK Birla Group, became an alternative to Western suppliers on Russian market. The share of the company's imports to Russia amounted to US$12.3 million from April 2022 to March 2023.[19] 2023
Comnav Technology Ltd.  China Navigation and radar equipment The company supplies navigation and radar equipment for the Russian GLONASS system used by Russian and Iranian-made drones in the invasion of Ukraine. From February 24 to December 30, 2022, the company made 73 deliveries to Russia.[20] 2023
Dahua Technology  China Video surveillance equipment In 2021 taxes paid by the company to the Russian budget amounted to US$1.12 million.[21] The United States imposed export controls on Dahua chips and the Federal Communications Commission listed the company among those whose products pose a threat to national security.[21] The United Kingdom and Australia banned their public authorities from installing Dahua surveillance cameras.[21] 2023
Danieli  Italy Industrial equipment According to NACP, the available information suggests that Danieli cooperates, directly or indirectly, with the Russian military industry enterprises and its customers include Severstal, Evraz and Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works. 2022
DP World  United Arab Emirates Logistics In June 2023, DP World signed an agreement with the Russian state corporation Rosatom in the field of container transportation and the development of the Northern Sea Route.[22] 2023
DMG Mori Aktiengesellschaft  Germany Machine tools DMG Mori Rus LLC operates a machine tool plant in Ulyanovsk, Ulyanovsk Machine Tool Plant LLC. [17][23] 2023
eKassir Osaühing  Estonia Payment equipment Parent company of Russian Ekassir which facilitates operations of sanctioned Russian banks (Sberbank, VTB, etc.). 2023
ESAB (Elektriska Svetsnings-Aktiebolaget)  United States /  Sweden Electric welding Continuing to operate and expand business in Russia.[24] 2024
Fluxys  Belgium Gas operator Promoting the export of Russian LNG.[25] 2023
Great Wall Motor  China Automotive industry As of 2023, Russia is the Great Wall's largest sales market outside of China. The company's declared turnover in Russia in 2021 amounted to about US$780 million.[26] 2023
Houston Astros  United States Professional sports (baseball) As of 2023, this Major League Baseball team is broadcasting their games in Russia and regards the country as its overseas market. Owner Jim Crane still does business with Russian oil and gas.[17][23] 2023
Hikvision  China Video surveillance equipment According to NACP, the revenue of the official Hikvision representative in Russia increased by 42% with the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, while net profit increased by 1526%.[27] In the US, under John McCain National Defense Authorization Act, federal agencies are barred from buying Hikvision equipment and from entering into official relationships with companies and organizations that use its cameras.[27] In the European Union and Australia, usage of Hikvision cameras in official premises is banned.[27] 2023
Japan Tobacco International   Switzerland /  Japan Tobacco industry With a market share of 34.9%, JTI is regarded as the leader of the tobacco market in Russia. According to NACP, JTI contributed at least US$3.6 billion directly to the Russian budget.[28] 2023
Kerui Group  China Oil and gas equipment After Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kerui's shipments to Russia increased 8.5 times. In the fall of 2022, the official representative of Kerui in Russia, Rus-KR LLC, and Gazprom signed a cooperation and strategic partnership agreement.[29] 2023
Knauf  Germany Building materials The German company actively promotes mobilisation in Russia by sending its employees to the war against Ukraine.[30] 2023
Leroy Merlin  France Home improvement According to NACP, Leroy Merlin Vostok, the company's enterprise in Russia, provides a high revenue part of the Russian budget and is a significant source of income for the Russian government.[31] 2022
Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR)  United States Ship registration Providing flag for Russian ships.[citation needed] 2023
Mars Inc.  United States Multinational confectionery, pet food, and other food products Continues to operate in Russia.[17] 2023
Metro AG  Germany Retail The company partnered with Russian Sberbank. The company's sales in Russia grew to 2.9 billion euro in the fiscal year 2021/2022.[32] 2023
Mondelēz International, Inc.  United States Food According to NACP, in 2022 Mondelēz paid more than US$61 million in taxes to the Russian budget.[33] 2023
Nestlé   Switzerland Food processing Nestle is represented in the Russian Federation through Nestle Russia LLC. The company paid more than USD 25 million in profit taxes as of 2021.[34] In April 2023, the management of Nestlé Russia LLC asked the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation to take the necessary measures to restrict public access to the results of operations and financial statements of the company’s subsidiaries.[35] 2023
OpenWay Group  Belgium Payment services After the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, when Visa Inc. and Mastercard ceased operating in Russian banks of the region, OpenWay Group was engaged to develop an alternative payment system called Mir.[36] 2022
PepsiCo  United States Multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation Continues to operate in Russia.[17] 2023
Philip Morris International  United States Tobacco industry The market share of Philip Morris International brands in Russia amounted to 30.1% in 2019. The total amount of income tax paid by Philip Morris International to the Russian budget in 2022 amounted to US$206 million.[37] Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Philip Morris announced its intention to sell its Russian business and exit the market, but has not done so.[37] 2023
Procter & Gamble  United States Cosmetics The company has two factories operating in Russia – the Gillette razor manufacturing plant in Saint Petersburg and a toiletries manufacturing plant in Tula Oblast.[38] 2023
Rockwool International  Denmark Insulation Selling products to the Russian Ministry of Defence for use on warships.[39] 2023
SLB  United States Energy services In the first half of 2022, the Russian market amounted to US$1.21 billion or 6% of the company's turnover. According to NACP, the company is also facilitating the issuance of conscription notices and is banning remote work for Russians who avoid military draft.[40] 2023
Shandong Odes Industry Co., Ltd.  China All-terrain vehicles Supplying the Russian army and paying $0.8m taxes in Russia. [41] 2023
Sinopec  China Oil and gas Paying taxes in Russia.[17] 2023
Şişecam Group  Turkey Chemicals and glass The company continues remains the largest exporter in its field to Russia.[17] 2023
Spinner  Germany Machine tools From 24 February 2022 to 31 June 2023, almost USD 15 million worth of SPINNER machines and components were imported to Russia.[17][23] 2023
Subway  United States Fast food Continuing to operate over 500 restaurants in Russia through Subway Russia Service Company, headquartered in St. Petersburg.[42] 2024
Unilever  United Kingdom Consumer packaged goods In 2022 Unilever Rus LLC paid about US$50 million in taxes to the Russian budget, with factories in Omsk, Yekaterinburg, Saint Petersburg and Tula continuing to operate.[43] 2023
Vičiūnai Group  Lithuania Food products Continues to operate its Kaliningrad factory and recruit staff despite initially stating that the company would withdraw from Russia.[44] 2024
Xiaomi Corporation  China Consumer electronics The company paid to the Russian budget US$2.5 million in taxes.[45] In the third quarter of 2022 the company increased supplies to Russia by 39% compared to the previous quarter. 2023
Yves Rocher  France Cosmetics In 2022 Yves Rocher paid about US$6 million in taxes to the Russian budget.[46] NACP regards Yves Rocher as "one of the most famous Western companies that refused to boycott Russia".[46] 2023
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group  China Automotive industry In 2022 Geely Motors LLC paid more than US$51.4 million in taxes to the Russian budget.[47] As of May 2023, official Geely dealers were represented in 89 Russian cities. 2023

Former company inclusions and suspensions

Name Country Branch Notes Date
Delta Tankers Ltd. Greece Oil tanker services Withdrawn from list after 11th package of EU sanctions, but was reinstated after failing to publicly condemn Russian aggression,[48] before being suspended pending discussions with the EU. Suspended 2023
Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd. Greece Oil tanker services Withdrawn from list after 11th package of EU sanctions, but was reinstated after failing to publicly condemn Russian aggression,[48] before being suspended pending discussions with the EU. Suspended 2023
Minerva Marine Inc. Greece Oil tanker services Withdrawn from list after 11th package of EU sanctions, but was reinstated after failing to publicly condemn Russian aggression.[48] Delisted in November 2023 after agreeing to cease all Russian trade.[49] Removed 2023
Mondi United Kingdom Packaging and paper The company owns one paper production plant and three processing enterprises in Russia.[50] Removed from list after business in Russia sold in September 2023.[51] Removed 2023
OTP Bank Hungary Banking In 2020 the Russian branch of OTP Bank received 113 million rubles in profit and paid about 190 million rubles to the Russian budget. OTP Bank also recognizes the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republic, as well as provides preferential credit terms to the Russian military.[52] Suspended from list in September, then removed from list in October.[53] Removed 2023
Peninsula Petroleum Ireland Oil fuel The company stopped supplying fuel to three types of vessels owned by Russian companies, sailing under the Russian flag or carrying Russian oil. The company sent a corresponding letter to NAPC and was removed from the list accordingly.[54] Removed 2023
Raiffeisen Bank International Austria Banking The Russian division of Raiffeisen Bank International offers credit holidays to Russians who are fighting in Ukraine and recognizes the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republic. In 2022 the profit of the Russian division amounted to 2.058 billion euros, while the total profit of the group was 3.797 billion euros.[55] Suspended from list in December 2023 to ensure Austria would vote in favour of the 12th package of sanctions and bilateral consultations could take place.[56] Suspended 2023
Shree Ramkrishna Exports India Diamond production Confirmation that no rough diamonds had been bought from Russia since January 2023 and none will be bought.[57] Removed 2023
Thenamaris Ships Management Greece Sea transport Withdrawn from list after 11th package of EU sanctions, but was reinstated after failing to publicly condemn Russian aggression.[48] Delisted in November 2023 after agreeing to cease all Russian trade.[49] Removed 2023
TMS Tankers Ltd. Greece Tanker services Withdrawn from list after 11th package of EU sanctions, but was reinstated after failing to publicly condemn Russian aggression.[48] Delisted in November 2023 after agreeing to cease all Russian trade.[49] Removed 2023

Noted effects of being included on list

  • June 2023: Norwegian Air and Scandinavian Airlines remove Mondelez products.[58]
  • August 2023: Mondi withdrew from Russia after being listed in February 2023.
  • September 2023: Hungary agreed to 11th EU sanctions package after OTP Bank removed from list.[59]
  • November 2023: Three Greek shipping companies agreed to cease Russian trade after being listed.[49]
  • December 2023: Scandinavian Airlines stopped using PepsiCo and Nesquik products.[60]
  • December 2023: Austria blocked 12th EU sanctions package until Raiffeisen Bank International was removed from the list.[56]
  • January 2024: Oleksandr Novikov, the former head of Ukraine’s NACP reported that dozens of large transnational companies had left Russia for fear of being included on the list of sponsors.[61]
  • January 2024: Sweden's Royal House has cancelled the royal warrant to Marabou chocolate as it is owned by Mondelez.[62]

Abolition

At a certain time Austria, China, France and Hungary started to criticize the list. China, in particular, a major consumer of Ukrainian grain, demanded in February 2024 the removal of 14 Chinese companies from the list to "eliminate negative impacts".[63] Another cited reason was the frustration for singling out companies from countries that supported Ukraine.[63]

On 22 March 2024, the NACP announced the decision to abolish the list and move its data to the Interdepartmental Working Group on Implementation of the State Sanctions Policy (IWG).[64] The decision was based on the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on 15 March 2024.[64]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ According to Leave Russia, the number of identified foreign companies still operating in Russia in December 2023 is higher, around 1,600.[2]

References

  1. ^ Balmforth, Tom; O'Donnell, John (15 February 2024). "Ukraine refuses to take Raiffeisen off Russia war blacklist". Reuters.
  2. ^ "Staying companies". Leave Russia. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Over 1,000 Companies Have Curtailed Operations in Russia—But Some Remain". Yale School of Management. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  4. ^ "London stock exchange group to include Kyiv sanctions in its database". Intelligence Online. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Статус пʼяти грецьких компаній-перевізників відновлено у переліку спонсорів війни" (in Ukrainian). NACP. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Ukraine removes Greek tankers from Russia blacklist". TradeWinds. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Ukraine removed 5 Greek tanker companies from the "black list"". Greekcitytimes. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Alibaba Group Holding Limited". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Auchan". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Auchan CEO Says Russia Exit Would Mean Job Losses, Not Peace". 27 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Top Swiss chocolate brand added to Ukraine's war sponsor list for operations in Russia". 18 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Bacardi". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Ukraine: Govt. adds Georgian wine producer Bolero to intl. war sponsors list over increased exports to Russia & continued cooperation with sanctioned businessmen". 9 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Bonduelle statement on Ukraine and Russia". Bonduelle. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Buzzi Unicem". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Hiding their presence in the temporarily occupied Crimea and cooperating with the Military Industry of Russia: Camozzi Group is included in the list of international sponsors of war". 27 October 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ukraine: Govt. adds 43 intl. companies to list of war sponsors due to their continued operations in Russia". 24 March 2023.
  18. ^ a b "China State Construction Engineering Corporation". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  19. ^ "CK Birla Group". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  20. ^ "COMNAV TECHNOLOGY LTD". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  21. ^ a b c "Dahua Technology". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  22. ^ "DP World". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  23. ^ a b c "German machines that produce weapons for the Russian Federation: NACP adds SPINNER and DMG MORI to the list of international war sponsors". 20 September 2023.
  24. ^ "The American-Swedish company ESAB has been added to the list of international sponsors of the war". 25 January 2024.
  25. ^ "Ukraine adds Belgian gas company Fluxys to list of war sponsors". 30 November 2023.
  26. ^ "Great Wall Motor". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  27. ^ a b c "Hikvision". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  28. ^ "Japan Tobacco International". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Kerui Group". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Ukraine adds German Knauf to list of war sponsors". 24 November 2023.
  31. ^ "Leroy Merlin". NACP. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  32. ^ "Metro". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  33. ^ "Mondelēz International, Inc". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  34. ^ "Ukraine adds Nestle to list of int'l war sponsors". 3 November 2023.
  35. ^ Ольга, Шевченко (2023-11-02). "International sponsors of war: 80 years after World War II, Nestle again "feeds" the aggressor". National Agency on Corruption Prevention. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  36. ^ "OpenWay Group". NACP. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  37. ^ a b "Philip Morris International". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  38. ^ "P&G (Procter & Gamble)". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  39. ^ "Ukraine designates Rockwool as international war sponsor". 13 November 2023.
  40. ^ "SLB (former Schlumberger)". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  41. ^ "They supply all-terrain vehicles for the Russian army: NACP adds Chinese Shandong Odes to the list of international war sponsors". Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  42. ^ Фастфуд, який дійсно вбиває: НАЗК внесло Subway до переліку міжнародних спонсорів війни, National Agency on Corruption Prevention, 10.01.2024
  43. ^ "Unilever". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  44. ^ "Kaunas mayor's Vičiūnai Group added to Ukraine's list of war sponsors". 4 January 2024.
  45. ^ "Xiaomi Corporation". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  46. ^ a b "Yves Rocher". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  47. ^ "Zhejiang Geely Holding Group". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  48. ^ a b c d e "The status of five Greek shipping companies was restored in the list of war sponsors". 7 August 2023.
  49. ^ a b c d "Ukraine removes 3 Greek companies from 'international sponsors of war' list". 24 November 2023.
  50. ^ "Mondi Group/Mondi PLC". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  51. ^ "Mondi completes sale of Mondi Syktyvkar, concluding Russian exit". 4 October 2023.
  52. ^ "OTP Bank". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  53. ^ "Putin Ally Forces Rare Concession from Ukraine". 3 October 2023.
  54. ^ "Ukraine: Govt. excludes Peninsula Petroleum from intl. war sponsors list due to termination of business with Russia". Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  55. ^ "Raiffeisen Bank International". NACP. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  56. ^ a b "Blackmail worked: Ukraine removed Raiffeisen Bank from the list of war sponsors in exchange for new sanctions against Russia". 17 December 2023.
  57. ^ "Ukraine removes Shree Ramkrishna Exports from international". 19 October 2023.
  58. ^ "Oreo-maker Mondelez faces Nordic backlash over Russia business". 12 June 2023.
  59. ^ "Ukraine's effort to isolate Russia's economy through 'International Sponsors of War' list". 25 December 2023.
  60. ^ "Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has removed Nesquik beverages from its in-flight menu following Nestle's inclusion in Ukraine's international sponsors of war list, TV2 reported on Dec. 11". 12 December 2023.
  61. ^ "Interview with former anti-graft agency head Novikov". 23 January 2024.
  62. ^ "Swedish royals reject chocolate brand active in Russia because of war". 25 January 2024.
  63. ^ a b "Exclusive: Pressure mounts on Ukraine to scrap 'sponsors of war' blacklist". Reuters. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  64. ^ a b "NACP transfers information from the register "International Sponsors of War" to the IWG on sanctions, other sections need to be normalized: NACP position". NACP. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Sponsors_of_War