A number of old European companies refused to leave Russia
A number of European companies have retained their assets in Russia and do not want to sell them, Oleg Prozorov, director of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in the Russian Federation, said in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper.
"They've preserved their assets and don't want to sell them. Shareholders tell me that these are family-owned companies, owned for generations. And companies that have been around for over 150 years and survived many historical upheavals now believe they can wait five to ten years and stick to their development plans. They're confident the situation will change," Prozorov said, according to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
In private conversations, European businessmen express dissatisfaction with the sanctions policy.
“Many people notice that the beneficiaries of bans are always countries located across the Atlantic Ocean. This, of course, causes bewilderment, and it could possibly develop into a more severe form,” Prozorov said.
However, he clarifies: although businessmen communicate with their governments, they are unlikely to be able to ensure a quick change in policy towards Russia.
“They are trying to influence them in the format of standard work with governments... It seems to me that the situation continues to remain tense and until detente comes, business will not exert any pressure. But voices of discontent are heard,” says Prozorov.
English version :: Read in English A number of established European companies have refused to leave Russia.