The economist called the timing of the return to the Russian market of foreign companies

Deputy Director of the National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) Vladimir Milovidov said that the return of Western companies to Russia can be expected by the summer of this year. It is reported by RIA Novosti.

In his opinion, among the first to return are those companies that fear that they can easily be replaced by competitors. In addition, if the economic situation in Russia begins to show stabilization, this will also be a signal for companies that it is time to return.

According to Milovidov, it is too early to talk about a collapse in the Russian financial market. Contrary to forecasts, the ruble has stopped falling against the dollar, and although exports have declined, they have not stopped completely. The expert refrained from forecasting the return of specific companies.

Recall that on February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), and on February 24 he made an emergency appeal to the Russians and announced a special military operation in Donbass. In his speech, he stated that “circumstances require decisive action from Russia” and stressed that “Russia will not allow Ukraine to have nuclear weapons.”

Hundreds of foreign firms, including manufacturers of well-known world brands, have announced a temporary or complete “withdrawal” from the Russian market (cessation of production, suspension of investments or activities in the Russian Federation), in response to the events in Ukraine and the sanctions of Western countries against Russia.