At the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 6, 2025, the Kremlin signaled a shift in its approach toward Western companies that exited Russia following the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022 and subsequent waves of Western sanctions. In a candid interview with the Russian state news agency TASS, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov outlined the conditions and attitudes shaping Moscow’s response to the potential return of these foreign firms.
Peskov was unequivocal: “It would be a mistake to say that we do not care about these companies returning.” According to reporting by RT and corroborated by Reuters analysis, many foreign companies that withdrew from Russia did so under pressure from mounting sanctions and the intensifying conflict. While some have since signaled a desire to return, their path back is far from straightforward.
“Many companies, when they left Russia, retained the right to return and fulfilled all obligations to employees and regions of Russia,” Peskov explained, as reported by TASS. For these firms, Moscow is open to dialogue, but Peskov stressed the need for “a very careful and respectful dialogue, always ensuring our own interests.”
However, not all companies left on good terms. “Some companies abandoned their employees without paying wages or fulfilling social commitments,” Peskov noted. He clarified that while these companies might still be allowed to return, it would only be after they “compensate and remedy the consequences.” The Kremlin’s official stance is that “everyone can return, but the cost will be very high.”
The only clear red line, according to Peskov, is for those companies that provided support to the Ukrainian military. “These companies have become enemies of Russia and are not welcome back,” he stated bluntly. This point was echoed across Russian state media and in statements attributed to the Kremlin throughout the day.
The mass exodus of Western businesses from Russia has not been without significant financial consequences. According to a Reuters analysis earlier in 2025, foreign companies that withdrew from Russia have collectively suffered losses exceeding $107 billion. The British energy giant BP, for instance, recorded losses above $25 billion after pulling out of its stake in the Russian energy firm Rosneft. McDonald’s, after selling its entire Russian restaurant network to a local franchisee, reported a loss of $1.3 billion. These staggering figures underscore the immense cost of corporate disengagement from the Russian market.
Yet, as Western companies hesitated or left, firms from other countries have swiftly moved to fill the gaps. “Nature abhors a vacuum,” Peskov remarked. “Clearly, companies from other nations are showing great interest, especially in the niches vacated by major Western companies.” This influx has been particularly noticeable in sectors such as retail, energy, and manufacturing, where the departure of big Western names left lucrative opportunities behind.
Peskov’s comments reflect a nuanced calculus. On the one hand, Russia values the return of Western expertise, investment, and technology. “Any economy needs technology, capacity, and new investment,” he said. On the other, Moscow is keen to avoid appearing desperate or overly accommodating. The message is clear: returning to Russia will come at a premium, especially for those who left obligations unmet or who are perceived as having acted against Russian interests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reinforced this stance during the same forum. As quoted by several Russian and international outlets, Putin declared, “Moscow remains open to cooperation, especially with our friends, and we have never refused or pushed anyone out.” He added, “The modern world is deeply connected through technological progress, and isolating oneself in a ‘national shell’ is both harmful and counterproductive, as it weakens competitiveness. Russia is ready to cooperate with all countries, above all with those willing to work with us—our friends. We are not closing ourselves off from anyone.”
Putin also acknowledged that many Western companies are “eagerly awaiting the removal of all these political restrictions,” implying that, despite the rhetoric and losses, there is an underlying desire among some foreign firms to re-enter the Russian market. Still, as long as sanctions and political tensions persist, the barriers remain formidable.
The Kremlin’s approach is not without its critics. Some observers argue that the high costs and conditions attached to re-entry are designed to deter all but the most determined companies. Others note that the policy leaves Russia vulnerable to technological stagnation and capital flight, especially as Western expertise and innovation remain crucial in sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin’s tough stance against companies that supported the Ukrainian military has been interpreted as a warning to others: political allegiances can have lasting commercial consequences. “These companies have become adversaries and should be treated accordingly,” Peskov reiterated, according to TASS.
For companies considering a return, the message is layered. Those that fulfilled their duties to staff and local communities may find a pathway back, albeit an expensive one. Those that left abruptly or were seen as supporting Ukraine will find the door firmly closed. And while Moscow insists that it is “open for business,” the reality is that the rules of engagement have changed, perhaps permanently.
As the world watches the evolving relationship between Russia and the West, the fate of these companies remains a barometer of broader geopolitical tensions. Will economic pragmatism eventually outweigh political grievances, or will the scars of recent years keep the Russian market closed to many of its former corporate giants? Only time—and perhaps the shifting winds of international politics—will tell.
For now, Russia’s message to the world is one of cautious openness, tempered by the hard lessons of the past three years. The cost of return, both financial and reputational, is higher than ever. But for some, the lure of the Russian market may yet prove irresistible.
