Heineken pulls out of Russia and condemns ‘unjustified attack’ on Ukraine

Dutch brewery Heineken has joined the exodus of western corporations from Russia in response to the ‘continued escalation’ of the war in Ukraine.

The Amsterdam-based company said it was ending all production, advertising and sales with immediate effect. Heineken produces a number of local beers in Russia including Okhota, Doctor Diesel and Stepan Razin, as well as marketing its international brands.

‘We stand with the Ukrainian people and our hearts go out to all those affected,’ the company said in a statement signed by CEO Dolf van den Brink. ‘The Russian Government’s war against Ukraine is an unprovoked and completely unjustified attack.’

Heineken said it was taking action to ‘ring-fence’ its businesses in Russia to cut off royalties and benefits.

The company also said it was increasing its funding to NGOs in Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary, which are taking in the majority of Ukrainian refugees.

‘We very much hope that a path to a peaceful outcome emerges in the near term,’ the statement ended.