Coca-Cola & Pepsi join McDonald’s & Starbucks in stopping sales in Russia after outrage over Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

COCA-Cola and Pepsi have joined McDonald's and Starbucks in stopping sales in Russia.

Some of the world's biggest companies have been shutting up shop after being hit with massive outrage against Putin's war in Ukraine.

Many corporations have ceased operations in the country in protest of the invasion.

McDonald's, which employs 62,000 people in Russia, will shut all 850 of its restaurants temporarily - while Starbucks is pausing operations at 130 stores.

Unlike other big fast-food brands in Russia that are owned by franchisees, including KFC, Pizza Hut and Burger King, McDonald's owns 84 per cent of its Russian locations.

In an open letter to employees, McDonald's President and CEO Chris Kempckinski said closing these stores, for now, is the right thing to do.

He said: "As we move forward, McDonald’s will continue to assess the situation and determine if any additional measures are required.

"At this juncture, it’s impossible to predict when we might be able to reopen our restaurants in Russia.

"We are experiencing disruptions to our supply chain along with other operational impacts. We will also closely monitor the humanitarian situation."

A Coca-Cola spokesman said: "Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine.  

"We will continue to monitor and assess the situation as circumstances evolve."

Meanwhile, Pepsico inc announced the suspension of the sale of Pepsi-Cola, and global beverage brands in Russia, including 7up and Mirinda.

And a Starbucks spokesman said: "We continue to watch the tragic events unfold and, today, we have decided to suspend all business activity in Russia, including shipment of all Starbucks products.

"Our licensed partner has agreed to immediately pause store operations and will provide support to the nearly 2,000 partners in Russia who depend on Starbucks for their livelihood."

The company also last week announced they have been donating royalties from sales in Russia to relief efforts in Ukraine.

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On Tuesday night, the company which owns KFC and Pizza Hut, Yum Brands Inc, said it was pausing investment in Russia, and suspending operations at all 70 KFC company-owned restaurants in the country.

It is also finalising an agreement to suspend all Pizza Hut restaurant operations in Russia.

Yum has at least 1,000 KFC and 50 Pizza Hut locations in Russia, almost all of which are independent franchisees.

This means Yum doesn't run its KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants in Russia.

In a post on its website dated Monday, it said it had ";suspended all investment and restaurant development in Russia while we continue to assess additional options".

Yum was due to open around 100 new KFC branches in Russia this year, according to an earnings call between executives on February 9, two weeks before the invasion of Ukraine.

It comes as...

• The CIA has warned a "desperate" Vladimir Putin could deploy mini-nukes to try and turn the invasion around
• Russian troops are stuck outside Kyiv and at risk of freezing to death as temperatures plunge to -20C
• Boxer Wladimir Klitschko says he's in the "biggest fight of my life" against Vladimir Putin's army
• Thousands of Ukrainian refugees could come to Britain as a new route to open 'in days'
• Russian planes entering Britain's air space could be seized under a new law announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps
• A serving Queen's Guard, 19, has gone AWOL to fight in Ukraine
• A little girl filmed singing 'Let It Go' in a Ukrainian bomb shelter has safely fled to Poland

On Wednesday, Victoria's Secret announced it was temporarily suspending operations in Russia.

Customers will also be unable to buy products online in Russia.

Amazon has followed suit - announcing that they are now blocking people in Russia and Belarus from signing up for their web services.

Drew Herdener, a company spokesman said: “Given the current events and the uncertainty and lack of credit available in Russia right now, we’re not accepting new Russian A.W.S. customers at this moment.”

On Thursday, Sony announced it will stop selling PlayStation consoles and suspend PlayStation Store service in Russia.

"Sony Interactive Entertainment joins the global community in calling for peace in Ukraine," the company said, as reported by Russian news agency TASS.

The company also suspended all deliveries of software and hardware to Russia, cancelling the launch of the new Gran Turismo 7 game.