Xiaomi, a popular Chinese company known for its smartphones, tablets, and laptops is added to the “list of international sponsors of war” by Ukraine. Xiaomi has been operating in Russia since 2017 and has become the top online seller and smartphone brand in Russia.
It has also announced plans to invest in electric vehicles and launch serial production of electro-cars in Russia. Xiaomi try to capture market space in Russia as many foreign companies stopped/left their operation due to Western sanctions in the country.
Xiaomi has not officially announced its departure from Russia but has stopped marketing campaigns since the spring of 2022. However, it still recruits staff and sells flagship smartphones in Russia. Xiaomi’s revenue and profits in Russia have increased significantly in 2021 and 2022, and the company has paid millions of dollars in taxes to the Russian government.
Ukraine accused Xiaomi’s operations in Russia and the Ukrainian National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAZK) claims that Xiaomi’s revenue and taxes in Russia have been used to fund the war against Ukraine and added Xiaomi’s company to the terror sponsor list.
Xiaomi has strongly opposed Ukraine’s decision to add it to the list of international war sponsors and said it was “unfounded” and “unreasonable”. It also said it would take legal actions to protect its rights and interests.
List of international sponsors of war
As of now, Ukraine added 19 companies to the “list of international sponsors of war”, Some of them are
- Schlumberger Limited is an American offshore drilling company that provides services and equipment to Russian oil and gas companies.
- Leroy Merlin is a French home improvement retailer that has over 100 stores in Russia.
- Open Way is a Belgian software company that provides payment solutions to Russian banks and financial institutions.
- Danieli & C. S.p.A. is an Italian engineering company that supplies equipment and technology to Russian steel and metal industries.
- Mondi is a British packaging and paper company that has several production facilities in Russia.
- eKassir is a Russian software company that provides digital banking solutions to Russian and international clients.
- Bonduelle is a French food processing company that has several plants and distribution centers in Russia.
- Procter & Gamble (P&G) is an American consumer goods corporation that has a large market share and production capacity in Russia.
- Comnav Marine Ltd is a Canadian marine electronics company that supplies navigation equipment to Russian vessels.
- Auchan is a French retail group that operates over 300 hypermarkets and supermarkets in Russia.
- Metro AG is a German wholesale and retail group that has over 80 stores in Russia.
These companies are accused of supporting the Russian aggression against Ukraine by continuing their business activities and paying taxes in Russia despite the Western sanctions. The Ukrainian government urges these companies to stop their cooperation with Russia or face legal and reputational consequences.
