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On the Return (to Russia) of the Prodigal Brands
X ^ | 2/19/25 | Maria Zakharova

Posted on 02/20/2025 5:23:27 AM PST by hardspunned

Western European brands didn’t leave Russia because they couldn’t handle competition or because someone blocked their profits. They left because their masters ordered them to—the political regimes of EU member states and the Brussels bureaucracy.

And since that’s the case, they should now be seen not as economic operators, but as tools of hostile regimes waging hybrid war against Russia. They agreed to this themselves. Some of these companies have been financing the killing of our citizens for three years.

What to do with these prodigal brands will be decided by professionals across all branches of power. Russian businesses will not be traded for French rags and Italian slippers. Our manufacturers must know that their contribution to the Special Military Operation will not be betrayed.

But given the propaganda war waged by Brussels’ liberal dictatorship against our history, one thing must be guaranteed:

Let Europe learn this once and for all—if a single word from their officials questions the results of World War II, the heroism of the Red Army, or the Soviet people’s role in defeating Nazism and fascism, their companies will feel the consequences. The same goes for the memory of our heroes of the SMO.

After all, Russia can live without Hugo Boss (which produced uniforms for the Nazis), without Coco Chanel (a Nazi agent in Paris), Cristóbal Balenciaga (who dressed Franco), and Christian Dior (who tailored dresses for Nazi generals’ wives). But without historical memory and a strong, independent economy? No.

So let them not be surprised if their profits suffer because of the insane comparisons of Russia to the Third Reich by Italy’s President Mattarella, or the ignorance of Germany’s Chancellor Scholz and France’s Foreign Minister Barrot regarding who really played the decisive role in defeating German National Socialism.

And by the way, Russia’s treatment of Western brands should also reflect how Russian journalists and media are treated abroad. If NATO-Europe mocks the memory of Andrey Stenin, Darya Dugina, or Vladlen Tatarsky, or fuels smear campaigns against Russian TV and radio—then their brands should receive no preferential treatment in Russia. They’ve grown too used to insulting us without consequences.

If they don’t respect the rule of law and have no conscience, then we must force them to respect us.

That’s not my quote. That’s Pushkin.”


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: burpmaximus; mariazakharova; russianpropaganda; shortbusmaximus; ukrainestoogery; zelenskystooge
She could write some great MAGA speeches for Trump. I like this woman! The Euroweenies are between a rock and a hard place now.
1 posted on 02/20/2025 5:23:27 AM PST by hardspunned
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To: hardspunned

Russia has made its own brand equivalents, so Western brands really aren’t needed.


2 posted on 02/20/2025 5:25:48 AM PST by Jonty30 (Groundhogs don't falsify their predictions for grant money, whereas climate scientists do. )
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To: Jonty30

That’s why she can tell the Euroweenies where to get off.


3 posted on 02/20/2025 5:27:49 AM PST by hardspunned (Look for the“Putin Stooge” libel, news from Ukraine you’ve gradually grown to trust over 30 months )
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To: hardspunned

WW II and Russia doesn’t really matter. Russian aggression is what matters.

The reason businesses left is because of sanctions and the inability to make a profit. Everybody knows that the Russians are actually just serfs who lack the capability to create the business and industrial economy required to actually exist at present.


4 posted on 02/20/2025 5:31:59 AM PST by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Where is ZORRO when California so desperately needs him?)
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To: Jonty30

I hear McDimitry’s, Pizza the Hutt, and Krasnoyarsk Fried Chicken are doing quite well.


5 posted on 02/20/2025 5:40:50 AM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: bert
Russians are actually just serfs who lack the capability to create the business and industrial economy required to actually exist at present.

Oil and Gas Industry The oil and gas sector is the backbone of the Russian economy, providing a significant portion of its GDP and export revenues. Russia is one of the largest producers and exporters of oil and natural gas in the world, with vast reserves located primarily in Siberia.
2. Mining Industry Mining plays a crucial role in Russia’s economy, with the country being rich in natural resources such as coal, iron ore, gold, platinum, diamonds, and other minerals. This sector supports both domestic needs and exports.
3. Machinery Construction Machine building is a leading industry in Russia that supplies machinery and equipment to various sectors. It is concentrated mainly in major urban areas like Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as regions rich in industrial infrastructure.
4. Chemical and Petrochemical Industry This industry is vital for producing chemical raw materials, including fertilizers, plastics, and synthetic fibers. The chemical sector supports agriculture through fertilizer production and contributes to various manufacturing processes.
5. Metallurgical Complex The metallurgical complex encompasses both ferrous (iron and steel) and nonferrous metallurgy (aluminum, copper). This industry involves the extraction of metal ores, their processing into metals, and the production of rolled products.
6. Aerospace Production Russia has a strong aerospace industry known for manufacturing aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and defense-related technologies. This sector has historical significance due to its contributions during the Soviet era.
7. Weapons and Military Machinery Manufacture Given its geopolitical stance, Russia has a robust defense industry that produces military equipment ranging from small arms to advanced missile systems.
8. Electric Engineering This sector includes the production of electrical equipment such as generators, transformers, motors, and other components essential for energy generation and distribution.
9. Pulp-and-Paper Production The pulp-and-paper industry is significant for producing paper products used domestically and for export purposes.
10. Automotive Industry Russia’s automotive sector manufactures vehicles for both domestic consumption and export markets. It includes several major manufacturers that produce cars, trucks, buses, and components.
11. Agricultural Sector Although it contributes a smaller percentage to GDP compared to other industries (about 5.6%), agriculture remains important for food security within Russia as well as exports of certain agricultural products like grains.

6 posted on 02/20/2025 5:45:01 AM PST by JesusIsLord
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To: hardspunned

Russia was McDonald’s MOST PROFITABLE market, and that was because their entire supply chains were in Russia, and Russians work at relatively low wages and high output (unlike Democrats).

...all gone. Well, not really, all that’s gone is the 10% for the Big Ronald, that was sent back to corporate. The rest of McDonald’s there is open, AND EXPANDING, under a new name, with the supply chains that the real McDonald’s gladly donated to them.

p.s., and don’t believe the fake videos of moldy bread, they have been shown to be fakes, purposely allowed to get moldy before shooting the videos.


7 posted on 02/20/2025 5:50:03 AM PST by BobL
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To: JesusIsLord

The Russian oil and gas industry was designed and built by foreign oil companies, American. Russia lacks the engineering capability to design and replace the refinery capability that has been destroyed. Aside from the brains, Russia has no capability to replace the destroyed refinery equipment and apparatus necessary for restoration.

In short........ what was, isn’t and cannot be. Serfs can work, but they are not allowed to think


8 posted on 02/20/2025 5:55:03 AM PST by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Where is ZORRO when California so desperately needs him?)
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To: hardspunned; All

Notice she didn’t mention US. Trump is looking after America in the negotiations. I don’t think he cares to help Raproachment between Russianand Europe. To the contrary; Trump sees Europe as a close competitor and will probably treat them accordingly unless they bend on trade.


9 posted on 02/20/2025 6:07:03 AM PST by wiseprince (Me)
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To: Larry Lucido

You ever tried Vlad in Box?


10 posted on 02/20/2025 6:16:50 AM PST by datricker (Go Trump/Vance!)
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To: bert

“Russian Aggression”!! What outdated Biden USAID BS! EVERYONE but you now admits that CIA/USAID started the war in 2014. They also killed 14,000 Russians BEFORE Putin, after warning after warning, began to stop the Uke/CIA killing in 2022.

You look like a total ass having the unmitigated gall to continue to fling that USAID stooge crap around here.

You are calling Trump a liar on many different counts! You can take your lies and denigration of Trump’s Peace Process and shove them!


11 posted on 02/20/2025 6:28:57 AM PST by hardspunned (Look for the“Putin Stooge” libel, news from Ukraine you’ve gradually grown to trust over 30 months )
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To: BobL

Who’s going repay that $3Billion in Russian interest payments stolen by the Euroweenies and divvied up amongst themselves?


12 posted on 02/20/2025 6:31:06 AM PST by hardspunned (Look for the“Putin Stooge” libel, news from Ukraine you’ve gradually grown to trust over 30 months )
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To: hardspunned

What a bunch of unadulterated drivelous balderdash...... pure bullshit!!


13 posted on 02/20/2025 8:04:08 AM PST by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Where is ZORRO when California so desperately needs him?)
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To: hardspunned
He's the jerk that likes to call fellow freepers "terrorists"

One of the FR moderators already shut his BS down once.

https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/4219655/posts?page=61#61

When his little green dicktaster zElenskyy goes up on the hook in the Ukraine Esso station, this guy will be crying in his FR beer.

14 posted on 02/20/2025 8:27:15 PM PST by kiryandil (No one in AZ that voted for Trump voted for Gallego )
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