Putin threatens to ‘throttle’ Western firms remaining in Russia

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday threatened to “throttle” Western firms remaining in Russia and acting against its interests, as part of Moscow´s effort to beef up domestic software development.

“We need to throttle them. I completely agree, and I say this without hesitation,” he said in response to a businessman´s call to curb the activities of US tech companies Zoom and Microsoft, which currently provide only limited services in Russia.

Many Western firms left Russia or significantly wound down their activities in the country after Moscow launched its military offensive on Ukraine, prompting a barrage of economic sanctions from Ukraine´s allies.

“We haven´t kicked anyone out...we have provided the most favourable conditions for them to work in our market, and they are trying to throttle us,” the Russian president said at a meeting with entrepreneurs, without providing details on how the Western companies were damaging Russia.

“We must respond in kind, mirror their actions,” added the Russian president, who has significantly tightened exit conditions for companies seeking to leave Russia, forcing many to sell their assets at steep discounts.

There has been growing media speculation that some companies might consider a comeback amid US President Donald Trump´s efforts to reset relations with Russia and achieve a fast peace in Ukraine.