The maker of Sweden’s Absolut vodka has said it is ceasing all exports to Russia after calls to boycott the brand flared up in Sweden and on social media.

The Absolut Company said it had “decided to stop the export ___(I) its brand to Russia”.

Stephanie Durroux, the firm’s chief executive, said in a statement that the company was exercising its “duty of care” towards its employees and partners. “We cannot expose them to massive criticism in all forms,” she added.

Absolut’s owner, Pernod Ricard, confirmed earlier in April that it had resumed some exports to Russia after previously halting them in March 2022, soon after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine.

The company noted ___(II) since November last year, Russia had changed importation regulations allowing for parallel imports of alcohol without the permission of authorised importers, thus bypassing EU sanctions.

Pernod Ricard stressed that the decision to resume exports was made in part to protect its staff in Russia from “criminal liability” and accusations of “intentional bankruptcy”.

But the move sparked criticism, including from prominent politicians in Sweden. The prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, ___(TO SAY) he was “very surprised” to learn of the decision.

Others called for boycotts, calling it a “moral collapse”, “spineless” and ___(III) “gift to Putin”. Several well-known bars and restaurants in Stockholm stopped selling Pernod Ricard products.

“The reaction over the recent days is clearly reflective of the role Absolut plays for its extended community in Sweden,” Durroux said.

“We acknowledge the significance of these longstanding and trusting relationships with our Swedish employees, partners, consumers and the Swedish society at large,” she added.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/18/absolut-vodka-exports-to-russia-discontinued-after-outcry-in-sweden-pernod-ricard

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