French firms hesitate amid growing pressure to leave Russia

French automaker Renault moved to pause production at its Moscow plant in an apparent move to fend off mounting criticism, breaking ranks with other major French companies that have defied pressure to keep operating in Russia.

The company's board of directors voted Wednesday night to suspend "activities at the Renault Moscow plant." It came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the company and others in France of aiding Russia's war effort during an emotional virtual address to parliament.

Dozens of foreign multinational corporations have curtailed their operations in Russia, amid sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its Western allies aimed at crippling the country's economy.

But some French companies have been notable for their reluctance to leave, underlining how it's often a point of pride for France — and its companies — to be more independent from the U.S. and United Kingdom when it comes to policy toward Russia. It's a stance that has started to unravel as the war grinds on.

Home improvement giant Leroy Merlin, supermarket chain Auchan and sporting goods retailer Decathlon are among high-profile brands that are refusing to stop their business in Russia. French energy company TotalEnergies issued a combative statement this week, saying it would stop buying Russian oil but warned that a hasty withdrawal would only make Russian partners rich.

It's not just French companies feeling the heat. Swiss multinational food giant Nestlé sought to deflect stinging criticism with an announcement Wednesday that it will remove some brands from Russia, including KitKat candy bars and Nesquik milkshake powder, but will keep supplying "essential food."

In his address to France's parliament, Zelenskyy name-checked some French companies as he pleaded for them to stop indirectly supporting the war against Ukraine with their presence in Russia.

"Renault, Auchan (and) Leroy Merlin must stop sponsoring the Russian war machine, and the murder of children and women, rapes, robberies and looting committed by the Russian army," Zelenskyy said. "All companies must remember that values are worth more than profit."

Renault, partly owned by the French government, had temporarily suspended production at its Moscow plant when the war erupted, blaming logistical problems, before reportedly resuming production days ahead of Zelenskyy's French address. The factory makes Renault's Arkana, Kaptur, and Duster SUV and the Terrano model for its Japanese partner Nissan.

The carmaker's failure to abandon its subsidiary Avtovaz — which represents lion's share of the group's presence in Russia — means it likely will keep facing pressure. Last year alone, Renault sold almost half a million vehicles through its Russian subsidiary.

Renault said it is not immediately withdrawing but merely "assessing the available options, taking into account the current environment, while acting responsibly towards its 45,000 employees in Russia."

Leroy Merlin has been more intransigent than Renault and — like Auchan and Decathlon — refuses to shutter its Russian business. In a press statement, Leroy Merlin's management reaffirmed its desire for its Russian stores to stay open in a decision backed by French regional political leadership.

Not even the destruction of a Leroy Merlin store in Kyiv by a Russian bombardment on Sunday night was enough to make parent company Adeo reconsider its position. Ukraine's Defense Ministry also accused the chain of indirectly financing the strike by operating in Russia.

The "maintenance of our activity in Russia is a decision which is not easy," it said. "We have no reason to condemn our Russian teams for a war they did not choose," adding that it still has "responsibility as an employer."

TotalEnergies put out a terse statement Tuesday, after what it called "serious and unfounded accusations of "complicity in war crimes" leveled against TotalEnergies." The energy giant defended its decision to remain in Russia, saying abandoning their Russian interests would enrich Russian investors and they don't have the same resources that other countries like UK and U.S. do.

On Thursday, hackers using the Anonymous name claimed to have taken down websites of Auchan, Leroy Merlin and Decathlon in Russia. All appeared to be nonfunctional for at least part of the day.