Estonian Defence Ministry bans army from using Pepsi and Nestle products
8 March 2024 17:28
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has banned his ministry and the defence forces from using products from companies that are still doing business in Russia, Kommersant Ukrainian reports 
Pevkur noted that companies that continue to work with Russia support the Russian military machine against Ukraine.
“I have ordered the Estonian Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces to remove all products of PepsiCo, Mars, Nestle, Unilever, Mondelēz International, Philip Morris International, JTI and others that are still operating in Russia and thus support the Russian military machine against Ukraine,” he said,
– he said.
The Estonian Ministry of Defence said that according to the order, the ban applies to vending machines, cafes and other outlets that sell products from companies such as PepsiCo, Mars, Nestle, Unilever and Mondelēz International under the jurisdiction of the defence ministry. This includes chocolate, biscuits, potato chips, ice cream, chewing gum and soft drinks.
The resale of tobacco manufacturers Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International (JTI) will also be stopped.
“I understand that the directive to stop offering products of PepsiCo, Mars, Nestle and other large corporations in the administration of the Ministry of Defence may cause some discomfort, but alternatives to many products can be found, even from Estonian manufacturers, and the greater goal outweighs the small discomfort. I hope everyone understands that we will help Ukraine win,”
– said the Estonian Defence Minister.
The decision applies to the producers included in the list of international sponsors of the war by the NACP.
“We offer our cooperation partners to replace the seized products with equivalent ones, if at all possible,”
– said Kristo Raud, manager of the infrastructure and services category at the State Defence Investment Centre.
International sponsors of the war
After Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine began, not all food and consumer goods companies decided to pull out of Russia. Among those who were unable to say goodbye to the Russian market are large firms such as PepsiCo, Mars, and Nestle, which produce products under a large number of names.
These firms are included in the NACP’s list of international sponsors, but their products continue to be sold and even produced in Ukraine.
