In February 2022, Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion onto the sovereign territory of democratic Ukraine. And for the past 18 months, everyday Ukrainians have heroically taken up arms to defend their land and way of life from imposing forces.
After the invasion, over 1,000 companies publicly announced plans to curtail operations within Russia to some degree. But many producers of consumer goods — soap, cookies, coffee — remain committed to operating in Russia. Some American companies have even doubled down on their commitment to the Russian market since the invasion. Mondelez International, producer of Oreos and Clif Bars, enjoyed record profit last year while underwriting Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Members of Congress have realized the need to mobilize private industry to end the conflict. A bipartisan group led by California Rep. Adam Schiff recently called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to issue a business advisory on the risks of operating in Russia.