According to a report by Estonia's KP on March 19, the country's defense forces have decided to say no to products from manufacturers operating in Russia and supporting its military machine.
The spokesperson of the Estonian Ministry of Defense announced that stores and vending machines under military jurisdiction and other military institutions will no longer sell products from companies such as PepsiCo, Mars, Nestlé, Unilever, Mondelēz International, Philip Morris International, and Japan Tobacco International (JTI).
Although many Western companies have stopped doing business in Russia, there are still some that continue to support the Russian economy, essentially indirectly aiding its military machine," criticized Estonian Defense Minister Anna Pevkur. According to this list, companies from around the world are contributing to the further development of the Russian military through the taxes they pay, prompting Estonia to once again show solidarity with the Ukrainian people by refusing to buy products from manufacturers whose tax revenue is used for importing weapons and national security purposes.
Despite the implementation of this policy, Estonian soldiers will not be left without access to chocolate, ice cream, chewing gum, soft drinks, and tobacco products. Only products from international war sponsors will be removed from the shelves, but they will be replaced with locally produced alternatives. "The significance behind this decision is far greater than any minor inconveniences it may cause," Anna Pevkur concluded in her speech.
The Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NAPC) has warned that Philip Morris International (PMI) and Japan Tobacco International are among the largest taxpayers to the Russian budget, significantly boosting the financial power of the Russian military.
Political scientist Vitaly Kulik has strongly criticized on social media, stating that over the past 11 years, Ukraine has lost over 100 billion hryvnias in tax revenues due to purchasing cigarettes from these companies, funds that could have been used to strengthen their own defense capabilities.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
