Russia won’t ‘roll out red carpet’ for McDonald’s return amid growing interest from foreign firms, says Putin

President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that Russia will not "roll out the red carpet" for McDonald’s if the fast-food giant seeks to return to the country, as reports emerge of foreign companies showing interest in re-entering the Russian market.

McDonald’s exited Russia in 2022 following Western sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict and sold its operations to a Russian investor who had been a franchise partner since 2015, PTI reported. These 25 restaurants across Siberia were rebranded as "Vkusno I Tochka" (meaning 'Tasty and That's It') and have been operating under the new name since June 12, 2022.

Speaking at a Kremlin meeting with leading business figures, Putin addressed Vkusno I Tochka CEO Oleg Paroyev: "They (McDonald's) put everyone in a difficult position, ran away, and now, if they want to come back, are we supposed to roll out the red carpet for them? Of course not."

Putin said the government is working on a framework for companies wishing to return to the Russian market—“calmly and without any hostility, taking into account that the most important thing is to protect the interests of our businesses,” according to TASS.

Reaffirming support for Russian entrepreneurs, Putin emphasized, "There can't even be any doubts about this. Together with you, we will work through everything, think it through, down to the last detail. But only to our advantage."

He also mentioned that some companies in other sectors have informed him that their foreign partners want to resume business ties. Putin responded, "I replied - let them come back but make sure it's on your terms. If it is advantageous for you, let them return. If it works for you, go ahead, if not, we'll make it so it does. That's it."