Ukraine’s ambassador to Ireland has urged people to stop buying Jameson whiskey in protest against the company’s decision to resume trading with Russia, reports RTE.
Larysa Gerasko accused Jameson of playing a role in funding Russia’s aggression in Ukraine by continuing to trade with Russia.
Jameson, owned by the French company Pernod Ricard, resumed sales in Russia last year and claims it is in compliance with all international sanctions.
The company said it made the decision to protect its local staff, their livelihoods and the well-being of their families.
“This also meant reducing the quantities being sold to avoid ‘intentional bankruptcy’ which is a criminal offence in Russia and represents a significant risk for our employees” the company said in a statement published on their website, reports RTE.
However, Ms Gerasko said she does not accept the company’s rationale for restarting its Russian business.
“On the one hand this company wants to protect a few employees, but tens of thousands of Ukrainians, every single day, have been killed by Russia. We pay the highest price, by human life, and we call on all companies to stop any trade relationship with the aggressor state, the terrorist state,” she said, reports RTE.
Ms Gerasko said if Jameson wanted to protect his staff it was better to move them to safer countries such as France or Ireland.
She also said she will no longer buy Jameson products and encouraged pubs, restaurants and customers to make a similar decision.
“I want to say, I am not going to buy Jameson products anymore,” she said, reports RTE.
Ms Gerasko said she tried to raise her concerns directly with the makers of Jameson whiskey a few weeks ago, but was not contacted by anyone from the company.
Pernod Ricard said they are working hard to find the best way to deal with the issue, “including stopping the export of our international brands while ensuring the welfare and safety of our team, conceding the local legal constraints,” reports RTE.
Irish Distillers and its parent company Pernod Ricard said they had not been invited to meet the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland.
Pernod Ricard also said the company could provide clarity on its operations in Russia in the coming weeks.
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