Cadbury chocolate-owner Mondelez defends staying in Russia

The boss of Cadbury chocolate-maker Mondelez has defended its decision to continue doing business in Russia but admitted he is "not pleased" the firm's taxes are funding the war with Ukraine.

Chief executive Dirk Van de Put said it was the "right decision" to stay after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, saying pulling out would risk thousands of jobs and leave Mondelez vulnerable to the Kremlin taking control of its local operations.

Many Western companies such as McDonald's exited Russia after it launched a full-scale assault on its neighbour.

Others remained but Mondelez said it had discontinued new investment in its Russian business and suspended spending on advertising.

In an in-depth discussion as part of the BBC's Big Boss Interview series, Van de Put said: "I think over time you try to be neutral in the whole conflict. We're not trying to take any side.

"I think we did the right thing for our people in Russia. Can we be criticised for that? Yeah, of course. We pay taxes in Russia that helps the war. I'm not pleased about that."

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country has generated sales of between $1bn and $1.4bn a year for Mondelez.

Last year, more than 70 MPs signed a letter from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine to Van de Put calling for Mondelez to sever its business ties with Russia.