[arista]

New York (CNN Business)

[McDonald's became the symbol of glasnost
in action 30 years ago when it opened
its first restaurant in Moscow.
But after temporarily shutting down more
than 800 restaurants following the
invasion of Ukraine, McDonald's has
decided to leave Russia altogether.
The burger chain will sell its Russia business,
saying the
"humanitarian crisis caused by the war
in Ukraine, and the precipitating
unpredictable operating environment,
have led McDonald's to conclude
that continued ownership of the
business in Russia is no longer tenable,
nor is it consistent with McDonald's values."]

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/16/b...xit/index.html

[MTVN]

They can always have DonMacs like in Donetsk

[Niamh.]

Those burger buns look a very odd colour

[Toy Soldier]

I was going to say, the food isn't exactly "secret recipe" so they'll likely be quickly replaced by "Donaldski's" selling exactly the same food... the stores & trained staff are already there who know how to make the stuff so long as they can source the ingredients.

I don't particularly agree with things like this to be honest; it's not like Putin or others in power in Russia give a ****, and I'm not a fan of a population being punished for the actions of their government. As I've said many times before... I wouldn't want to be judged on the actions of the Tories.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I was going to say, the food isn't exactly "secret recipe" so they'll likely be quickly replaced by "Donaldski's" selling exactly the same food... the stores & trained staff are already there who know how to make the stuff so long as they can source the ingredients.

I don't particularly agree with things like this to be honest; it's not like Putin or others in power in Russia give a ****, and I'm not a fan of a population being punished for the actions of their government. As I've said many times before... I wouldn't want to be judged on the actions of the Tories.

I guess the aim is for the people to do something about it? He's their leader, supposedly representing them. (honestly I get he's a scary guy running a scary regime but how is that ever going to change unless the Russian people stand up and say no)

[bitontheslide]

they are a way off standing up to the regime yet. I've spoken to a few russian friends and their biggest beef is in the exchange rate because most get paid in dollars, everything else is nothing to a hardy russian. So the west thumping the banks will do much more damage to ordinary russian folk than closing any western store

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I guess the aim is for the people to do something about it? He's their leader, supposedly representing them. (honestly I get he's a scary guy running a scary regime but how is that ever going to change unless the Russian people stand up and say no)

Personally I think a revolution is an unrealistic pipe dream in the modern world. We perhaps like to think that with enough people-power we can overthrow non-democratic governments... I doubt it's actually true, and trying is probably a quick way to find yourself behind bars or dead. Not many people are willing to be martyrs, when it comes down to it. That's not a judgement really ... I wouldn't die for a political ideology either.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

they are a way off standing up to the regime yet. I've spoken to a few russian friends and their biggest beef is in the exchange rate because most get paid in dollars, everything else is nothing to a hardy russian. So the west thumping the banks will do much more damage to ordinary russian folk than closing any western store

Pardon the pun

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Those burger buns look a very odd colour

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Personally I think a revolution is an unrealistic pipe dream in the modern world. We perhaps like to think that with enough people-power we can overthrow non-democratic governments... I doubt it's actually true, and trying is probably a quick way to find yourself behind bars or dead. Not many people are willing to be martyrs, when it comes down to it. That's not a judgement really ... I wouldn't die for a political ideology either.

I mean it depends I suppose, if the Russians aren't feeling hard done by themselves (as BOTs says) then they may not but If it was a country like Afghanistan since the Taliban took back control, I think I'd rather die then be treated the way women are over there

[arista]

Around 60,000 workers will not be happy with Putin

[MTVN]

Ukraine themselves forced a change in government through popular protest in 2014

Winter On Fire on Netflix is worth a watch on how it unfolded

The Russian government is a lot more entrenched of course but tbh that's partly a recent development. Putin had nowhere near as much control as he does now back when he first came to power. He's been allowed to become ever more of a dictator basically because he is still popular in Russia

[bitontheslide]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Pardon the pun

i thought it was rather appropriate

[bitontheslide]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Ukraine themselves forced a change in government through popular protest in 2014

Winter On Fire on Netflix is worth a watch on how it unfolded

thats not really comparable to russia which is a superbly equipped police state

[Toy Soldier]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I mean it depends I suppose, if the Russians aren't feeling hard done by themselves (as BOTs says) then they may not but If it was a country like Afghanistan since the Taliban took back control, I think I'd rather die then be treated the way women are over there

Right, but the desire to do it and the effectiveness of actually doing it are different things... people rising up wouldn't result in a change, it would result in them being locked up or killed. The ordinary people of Russia simply cannot overthrow Putin. The more powerful/rich elite of Russia, maybe. But closing McDonalds isn't going to prompt that sort of action... the only people it's going to affect are the already-powerless ordinary Russian families.

[arista]

Also
Pizza Hut and Burger King
are now going to leave Russia.


Ref:NBC Now HD