Heineken is under fire for not pulling out of Russia after it announced earlier this year it would leave over fears the authoritarian state would take control amid its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Dutch beer brand, among others — including Shell, WeWork and Carl’s Jr. — announced earlier this year that it would follow other businesses’ footsteps and leave Russia.
However, these companies are now in the hot seat for continuing to operate in the totalitarian nation, failing to leave the market despite the Kremlin’s continued war with Ukraine, a study by Yale professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and his team found, according to Business Insider.
“These companies are breaking their promises. They are functioning as wartime profiteers,” Sonnenfeld said.
“It’s beyond disappointing. It’s shameful and unethical.”
Sonnenfeld’s team downgraded these companies for not doing enough to exit Russia as promised.
Heineken received a D for buying time, as the company has put out “statements every few months” promising to leave the Russian market, but has yet to actually make the move.
In March, the beer brand expressed concern that the Kremlin would attempt to seize control, saying its operations in Russia were “no longer sustainable nor viable in the current environment.”
It did say, however, that it would still maintain limited operations with Russian over fears Vladimir Putin could nationalize the business in retaliation.
“We aim for an orderly transfer of our business to a new owner in full compliance with international and local laws,” Heineken said in a statement at the time.
“To ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of our employees and to minimize the risk of nationalization, we concluded that it is essential that we continue with the recently reduced operations during this transition period.”
Heineken had previously said it would halt sales, advertising and production in Russia, as well as halting all new investments and exports to the country.
In addition, Carl’s Jr. faced the most backlash from the Yale professor, receiving an F as its Russian Instagram account continues to post daily advertisements, showing mostly young females feasting on its fast-food meals.
Shell also received an F for allegedly using large amounts of Russian gas, but the company defended itself to Insider, saying it still had “some long-term contractual commitments.”
The company did say it has stopped buying Russian gas on the spot market, according to the outlet.
“There is a dilemma between putting pressure on the Russian government over its atrocities in Ukraine and ensuring stable, secure energy supplies,” a Shell spokesperson told Insider.
“It is for governments to decide on the incredibly difficult trade-offs that must be made.”
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