Since Russia first attacked Ukraine in 2014, the world continued conducting “business as usual” with the aggressor. According to Trading Economics, in January 2022, exports from Russia surged 72% from a year earlier.
China, the EU and the United States were the most prominent importers of Russian goods, with fuels and energy products accounting for 63% of total shipments. In turn, France, Germany, Italy, Austria and some other EU member states have exported € 346 million worth of military equipment to Russia, despite the ongoing embargo. European missiles, aircraft, rockets, torpedoes, bombs could be used now against Ukraine.
Russia also imported machinery, equipment and transport from China (19% of total imports), Germany (11%), and the United States (6%). Some of these goods are being used by Russians for the military, like Bosch, ZF Group, Danfoss and MANN + HUMMEL systems found in captured Russian military vehicles. Daimler Truck, the world's largest truck manufacturer, as well as Bosch competitor ZF Friedrichshafen, cooperated with Kamaz, a manufacturer of trucks, buses and tanks.
Months after Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many states and global corporations continue to buy from or operate in Russia, undeterred. China, India, Germany, Hungary and other countries continue to buy Russian crude, with Hungary opposing any European Union embargo on Russian oil and gas imports. Global brands like New Yorker, a German clothing retailer, open new stores in Moscow, as well as Geox - an Italian brand of footwear, which grew its sales in Russia by 23% in 2021.
According to the Yale CELI List of Companies Leaving and Staying in Russia, there are hundreds of companies that are still staying - buying time or even digging in, thus directly sponsoring Russian war crimes and genocide in Ukraine. No matter how hard the PR departments of these companies try to disguise or sugarcoat it, their real and only intention is to make money, all morals aside.
Such values as the right to life, liberty, security, freedom and independence must not be traded for money and profit. By naming and labeling those who conduct the bloody business with Russia, we want to raise awareness, halt the immoral trade and cease cash flow to Russia entirely. The world will start breathing freely again only when the Russian terrorist state collapses and the military monster dies.
So stop funding Russia. Finally!
