Misunderstood as Russian-made... Parent Company is a French Firm
Criticism Inside and Outside Sweden Since Resumption of Russian Exports Last Year
Sweden's representative vodka brand, often mistaken as Russian, 'Absolut Vodka,' announced that it will halt all exports to Russia. This decision comes after strong criticism both inside and outside Sweden following the resumption of exports to Russia at the end of last year, ultimately leading to a complete cessation of trade. Since the Ukraine war, Sweden has abandoned its neutrality policy for the first time in over 200 years and applied to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), heightening vigilance against Russia and significantly increasing anti-Russian sentiment among its citizens.
According to CNN on the 18th (local time), Stephanie Durroux, CEO of Absolut Vodka, a Swedish vodka production brand, stated in a press release, "Considering the recent criticism and reactions directed at Absolut, we have decided to suspend all exports of Absolut brands to Russia." She emphasized, "Since March last year, Absolut has significantly reduced its activities in Russia in accordance with sanctions against Russia and local legal restrictions, and has halted marketing investments."
She added, "However, through limited supply, we aimed to ensure the economic survival of our distribution subsidiaries in Russia to protect our employees and partners from intentional bankruptcy and local criminal liability," and stated, "We cannot continue to expose them to all forms of severe criticism."
Previously, Absolut Vodka had suspended exports to Russia immediately after the outbreak of the Ukraine war in March 2022 but resumed exports of vodka and some other brands from the end of last year. Following the announcement of the export resumption, voices criticizing trade with Russia surged both inside and outside Sweden.
Although Absolut was mistaken for Russian vodka after the outbreak of the Ukraine war, leading to boycotts in some countries, it is a vodka brand produced in Sweden. Its parent company is the French liquor group Pernod Ricard, which has no ties to Russia. Vodka is known as a traditional Russian liquor, and major brands have often been mistaken as Russian companies. However, many well-known brands are produced outside Russia, such as the American company Smirnoff and Latvia's Stolichnaya.
As Sweden, along with Finland, applied for NATO membership immediately after the outbreak of the Ukraine war last year and strengthened its military to counter Russia, anti-Russian sentiment has intensified, leading to increased criticism of the resumption of trade with Russia.
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