Another Western firm making a quiet return, hoping to go unnoticed?
Volkswagen has re-entered the Russian market, though the company claims ignorance of this development, according to ZEIT ONLINE.
The German automaker reportedly resumed operations in Russia in July, introducing its Jetta brand — a vehicle originally designed for the Chinese market. These Jetta models are essentially rebranded versions of other Volkswagen vehicles.
The Jetta brand in Russia is represented by an official website registered to a Russian subsidiary of a Chinese partner company of Volkswagen. Zeit questions the plausibility of such an operation proceeding without Volkswagen’s awareness.
Volkswagen Group, however, maintains that it is “unaware” of any business activities in Russia.
Volkswagen had previously announced a suspension of deliveries to Russia one week following the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Western businesses have no place in dictatorial and criminal regimes. There can be only one ethical way to return to Russia – once the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders is restored and accountability is imposed for war crimes and the destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure and property.
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