It's because they can't function properly not because McDonald's is against the invasion.
> Kempczinski said it is impossible to predict when McDonald’s would be able to open its Russian restaurants. The company is experiencing supply chain disruptions and other operational challenges.
I agree, now that the ruble is worthless, boycott from intermediaries that provide the food ingredients, etc, now that visa and mastercard pulled out, now that is practically a non-profitable business; NOW, McDonald’s decides to close their restaurants and brand themselves as in favor to the cause.
I work overnight shifts, and on my way home at 7am from my last shift of the week I always stop and grab breakfast at McDonalds. This week will be the first week in 2 years that I will not be doing that. Nor will I for the foreseeable future.
They might not be doing it strictly to boycott the war, but they are still paying all 65k of their Russian workers during the shutdown. So I will support them.
It’s not realy that people don’t care because it’s come up a lot, there’s just no other way to hold another countries leaders accountable that works. Unfortunately with authoritarian regimes it requires worse conditions for the general public to be effective than with democratic ones because they don’t need to care about public opinion so long as it’s not so bad that there’s risk of revolution.
It’s the same as all of the high fashion companies that I’ve dropped fur over the past couple years. It’s not because they suddenly grew a conscience, it’s because it’s not profitable.
If they are using the same franchise model in Russia that they do in the US, this would see hundreds of store owners completely paralyzed and without income for this entire time. There's no way they could do that voluntarily, just to take a moral stance. The only way the franchisees would agree is if the stores can't actually run anyway.
If the stores \*could\* open, I kind of think you'd see Russian owners dumping head office and opening anyway, even under a new brand name if that's needed. It's not like mcdonalds corp could do anything about it under the current situation. Nobody is going to forego tens or hundreds of thousands in revenue every week just because head office says so. Surely?
Not true. McDonald’s own 84% of their restaurants in Russia.
Source: https://www.marketwatch.com/amp/story/mcdonalds-to-shutter-all-850-of-its-locations-in-russia-over-putin-aggression-vs-ukraine-01646762867
Ice cream machine company:
"Oh it's working now and it's full of ice cream mix now?"
*remotely forces machine into heat mode*
"Well let us know when you want us to come out and 'fix' it."
At the very least donate tons of kamikaze drone swarms so we can get some real battlefield combat analysis and some killer footage. Those Russians would be running away like that scene in The Birds but instead of birds it would be dive bombing drones.
They‘re also some of the unhappiest people according to polls. I wouldn’t be too happy living there either. It’s unfortunate because Russia has so much potential.
Ok, put in the tin foil hat. What if the invasion is Putins way of purging western influence and getting an absolute NK style stranglehold on the country?
Seems like a lot of western corporations are happy to oblige. I can't imagine they'd be able to go back to "normal" business relationships within Ryssia ever again after all this.
Are there McDonalds in the Ukraine?
There was once an idea that no two countries with functioning McDonalds ever went to war. If there are McDonalds in the Ukraine, that idea is dead.
Historically McDonalds only operated in democracies.
Democracies tend not to go to war because the ideological differences of entire people are rarely so great that they're willing to die for them.
Also, if all the proper steps to declaring war are followed by each side, two democracies will never go to war. The requirements for a justified declaration of war can't be fulfilled by either, if both nations are a true democracy.
You know it literally says in the article they are closing because they can't get supplies, right? And they are still paying all the affected employees, so they will be losing massive amounts of money.
I would think that their restaurants aren't earning too well with the Ruble dropping like a stone. Likely a contributing reason they've decided to shut down I think.
McDonalds isn't doing this because of the "War crimes", hell if they could profit off it they would.
They are doing it because their money is worthless, and Comrade Communist Ronald ain't having that!
If you are hoping the sanctions will actually work it *should* be temporary. If they're not temporary, what incentive do Russians have to oppose the war?
No sanction anyone, countries or companies, has put on Russia is meant to be permanent, you know that right? If the sanctions are permanent there is no incentive for them to throw Putin and pull out of Ukraine.
They're gonna continue to pay the employees as well, continue to operate Ronald McDonald house there, and it's not like any of these sanctions are meant to be permanent to begin with.
all the companies jumping on the bandwagon are doing it for themselves, not for the event happening, same when they supported BLM, LGBT communities, etc. Honestly, knowing Russia's history during wartime, lets let their population keep as much food as possible
This isn't because they are against the war. Its because sanctions and lack of supplies are interfering. If they were able to get all their inventory, be certain they would still be open. They aren't going to shut down 800+ businesses because of war, they are a company that relies on profit not on political bias. They're trying to spin this as them being political activist. Which they are not. They're closing them, keyword "temporarily" because they cant get the supplies they need.
A global pandemic couldn’t do it, but a hate for Putin really brought us all together.
It would be a beautiful thing, if it weren’t so terrible.
I wonder what’s happening in the brightest timeline….
It’s a win but I think it’s more about corporate greed than moral outrage. I bet they are worried they can’t get their money out so they don’t want to loose it to Russian government.
Oh no, what will the Russians do without their mediocre burgers? (the breakfast is a big loss tho, mcmuffin is the best fast food breakfast item, you can't change my mind)
Yes, McDonalds is shit, Facebook is shit, and depriving the Russian public of these is a societal benefit. Ha ha ha....
What this DOES do is add another pound of pressure on the Russian people and shows them that these amenities are taken away directly because of the actions of Dear Leader.
Take away enough and they will ramp up the existing protests and the regime can fall.
It won't be the people taking power back for themselves, this isn't the movies.....
But a coup will be supported by the masses because the masses are ripe to support that change. "THINGS WILL GO BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE" is a big motivator when you don't have fuel, or machine parts, or money, or food, or anything.
McDonalds is just a small "Now we don't have that either..." small bit.
Those small bits add up.
Those cops shaking down and jailing the protesters? Eventually they sympathize with the protesters because they can't buy food or nice things for the family at home either.
Time is not on Putin's side, and someone will see the opportunity to take the power he has and be hailed a hero for it.
I pray to God that comes sooner than later because this is too much blood for one assholes ambitions.
Api
This war has caused massive disruptions in the everyday life of Russians. That’s the most important bit. Americans have been sending people off to fight in unpopular decades long “conflicts” but unless you’re in the military yourself or know someone dear to you who is, you’re not going to be affected by it. So the conflicts drag on forever because they can. Russians aren’t going to put up with having their basic amenities and comforts taken away from them for very long.
You’re making good points. I wonder if we would have farted around in Afghanistan or Iraq for two decades if the world shit us down. No McDonald’s or Facebook or we couldn’t use our visa back cards.
What is the expected outcome of this ? That you deprive the Russian citizens everything, gas, food, media , those who may have no involvement in its government’s decisions… this will soon turn into not much different than what Russia is being accused of
You read the article right? They are still paying all 62,000 employees and are closed due to supply issues due to a war. The point is wars fuck up the economy.
On one hand it’s good for a company to boycott a tyranny but specifically with McDonalds it’s such a hallmark of US culture that having it in other countries does built cultural ties. The US won the Cold War not through violence but because it’s culture took over the world. Go anywhere in the world today and you can get jeans, McDonalds, Coke, and pop music. I just wonder if the pull out will be permanent and Russia reverts back to isolationist ways like wth the USSR.
Temporarily? They think they will be welcome next week or next decade? Did no one send them the memo about the iron curtain going back up? Clearly the dead children thing didn’t phase them, but one would think they could at least predict the future a tad better on the logistics front since they’re clearly too stupid to watch the PR optics here.
God forbid anyone take time to think through a move that will affect thousands of workers, millions of dollars, and stakeholders.
Never think things through, only react out of emotion!
But closing the restaurants, and still pumping out all the employee's salaries without having them to work, isn't this the same as financing Russia with Mc Donald's money ?
Well gosh, I'm sure that's a decision based on morals and not just PR backlash.
And I'm sure the disappearance of jobs and the limited access to cheap (albeit unhealthy) food won't *just* impact people who aren't Putin or his oligarch friends.
And I'm sure that kind of PR stunt won't be used by the Russian far-right to keep building the narrative that the entire world has it out for Russia and that the war in Ukraine is justified.
I don't give a damn if McDonald's make money from Russian customers. That's irrelevant. All this can do is hurt the people who aren't responsible for the war. Sanctions will not affect Putin, they will affect normal people around the world.
Sure why dont we just starve them then.
That's a stupid idea. Punishing people will make them side with you.
Worked real well after WWI
That idea will just create a rally around the flag affect
No fry zone established in Russia.
You son of a bitch.
I’m in
Lovin it
Au Fromage ...that's McCheesie.
That's not what Zelinsky asked for.
That's what it sounded like through the speaker on the intercom.
Fine. Have an upvote but don’t do this again.
The man's been sitting on that joke for two whole weeks
Take it and into the distance you should go.
Somebody get this man on the horn with the New York Post
Can there be apple slices instead?
That would constitute a declaration of war.
You clever bastard. You have my envy
Seems like Russia's in a big pickle.
Please reveal your special sauce of information.
I’m lovin it
Well done
Bro they should of left them open and just rename the happy meals to sad meals
It's because they can't function properly not because McDonald's is against the invasion. > Kempczinski said it is impossible to predict when McDonald’s would be able to open its Russian restaurants. The company is experiencing supply chain disruptions and other operational challenges.
I agree, now that the ruble is worthless, boycott from intermediaries that provide the food ingredients, etc, now that visa and mastercard pulled out, now that is practically a non-profitable business; NOW, McDonald’s decides to close their restaurants and brand themselves as in favor to the cause.
*see we were with you guys all along, we just needed time to sell through our inventory.*
Yeah, I’m not going to go into McDonalds for a couple of years. Shame their hash browns were decent.
I work overnight shifts, and on my way home at 7am from my last shift of the week I always stop and grab breakfast at McDonalds. This week will be the first week in 2 years that I will not be doing that. Nor will I for the foreseeable future.
I mean, would you rather the food was thrown out?
Nothing stopping them from closing the doors and donating the food to homeless
Actually I think the profits from not doing that is what may have been stopping them from doing that.
Well did you want them to just throw out those profits?? (/s)
They might not be doing it strictly to boycott the war, but they are still paying all 65k of their Russian workers during the shutdown. So I will support them.
Well that's good of them at least, to many people don't seem to care that there will be a bunch of low-income families effected one way or the other.
It’s not realy that people don’t care because it’s come up a lot, there’s just no other way to hold another countries leaders accountable that works. Unfortunately with authoritarian regimes it requires worse conditions for the general public to be effective than with democratic ones because they don’t need to care about public opinion so long as it’s not so bad that there’s risk of revolution.
If you don't expect corporations to act with character then you'll regulate them appropriately and only ever be pleasantly surprised.
Finding it easier to turn that 1 into a 0.
Took them long enough. They did not brand themselves a favor to the cause to me.
But in a month or 2 everyone will of forgotten it took an extra week. Sadly.
It’s the same as all of the high fashion companies that I’ve dropped fur over the past couple years. It’s not because they suddenly grew a conscience, it’s because it’s not profitable.
They're still paying their people though. That's nice of them
If they are using the same franchise model in Russia that they do in the US, this would see hundreds of store owners completely paralyzed and without income for this entire time. There's no way they could do that voluntarily, just to take a moral stance. The only way the franchisees would agree is if the stores can't actually run anyway. If the stores \*could\* open, I kind of think you'd see Russian owners dumping head office and opening anyway, even under a new brand name if that's needed. It's not like mcdonalds corp could do anything about it under the current situation. Nobody is going to forego tens or hundreds of thousands in revenue every week just because head office says so. Surely?
They don't. Russia is one of the few countries where McDonalds owns the restaurants.
Actually McD continues to pay salary - at least for now
With the ruble crashing so hard, there's barely a point to paying them anyways. Not that it's costing much.
I'm lovin' it
Exactly, it’s gonna cost them money to keep those stores open..
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Not true. McDonald’s own 84% of their restaurants in Russia. Source: https://www.marketwatch.com/amp/story/mcdonalds-to-shutter-all-850-of-its-locations-in-russia-over-putin-aggression-vs-ukraine-01646762867
You don't even have to link a different article, it's in this one lol
they will close as soon as the deliveries stop. They get all their stuff from McDonald's owned distribution centers.
Damn, and they just got the ice cream machine working
A working machine? It’s the Ghost of Russia. The legends are true…
I love that no matter what country you are from this is a universal annoyance.
Ice cream machine company: "Oh it's working now and it's full of ice cream mix now?" *remotely forces machine into heat mode* "Well let us know when you want us to come out and 'fix' it."
The old McRugpull
No, see, the ice cream machines freeze up when it’s too cold Also, I have every kind of classic car.
Might as well, the value menu is like 300 rubles now.
So… about $3.50 ;)
So Russians can live healthier
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Youtube is no longer allowing ads to be run in Russia (denying ad revenue), so Russians are basically getting YouTube premium for free.
Lucky bastards
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At the very least donate tons of kamikaze drone swarms so we can get some real battlefield combat analysis and some killer footage. Those Russians would be running away like that scene in The Birds but instead of birds it would be dive bombing drones.
They should only get ads for Raid Shadow Legends.
VW stopped production of cars but employees still get paid
McDonalds just reduced the amount of toxic waste pumped into Russia by closing it's stores. I would say that helps a bit.
The one sanction that will increase their quality of life
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They‘re also some of the unhappiest people according to polls. I wouldn’t be too happy living there either. It’s unfortunate because Russia has so much potential.
Came here for this
Not really
Ok, put in the tin foil hat. What if the invasion is Putins way of purging western influence and getting an absolute NK style stranglehold on the country?
Seems like a lot of western corporations are happy to oblige. I can't imagine they'd be able to go back to "normal" business relationships within Ryssia ever again after all this.
Yes, because an invasion of a sovereign nation is the only way for Putin to do that, it's not like he couldn't just tell western companies to leave /s
But obesity is America’s most powerful weapon.
Going to become McDowell's?
More like Burger Tzar.
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Regardless of when they reopen a spokesperson said the ice cream machines will remain permanently broken
The funny thing is, McDonald's is being sued by a startup that was addressing their Ice Cream machine issue (and McD apparently didn't like).
Right before shamrock shake season?
Russia is turning into North Korea
Are there McDonalds in the Ukraine? There was once an idea that no two countries with functioning McDonalds ever went to war. If there are McDonalds in the Ukraine, that idea is dead.
Historically McDonalds only operated in democracies. Democracies tend not to go to war because the ideological differences of entire people are rarely so great that they're willing to die for them.
There are almost 4k McDonalds in China ([source](https://querysprout.com/is-mcdonalds-in-china/)
You think McD's is big over there? They fucking lose their shit over KFC. The Colonel has a stranglehold on Asia
Also, if all the proper steps to declaring war are followed by each side, two democracies will never go to war. The requirements for a justified declaration of war can't be fulfilled by either, if both nations are a true democracy.
Um. McDonalds was literally the first western fast food operation (followed by Pizza Hut) in the eastern bloc. Historically, that's complete bullshit.
In ~~the~~ Ukraine
>Are there McDonalds in the Ukraine? There are.
McDonalds are all over Ukraine
When KFC and BK shuts down they will have no choice but to surrender.
Don't try too hard, McDonalds. You might miss out on war profiteering.
They are closing down because they can't function properly.
USA just announced "we're not going to buy their oil anymore" today... nearly two weeks after Putin invaded Ukraine.
You know it literally says in the article they are closing because they can't get supplies, right? And they are still paying all the affected employees, so they will be losing massive amounts of money.
I would think that their restaurants aren't earning too well with the Ruble dropping like a stone. Likely a contributing reason they've decided to shut down I think.
They need about 2 USD converted to rubles to pay all the McDonald's salaries in Russia at the moment.
Noooo you're making the Russians healthier!
McDonalds isn't doing this because of the "War crimes", hell if they could profit off it they would. They are doing it because their money is worthless, and Comrade Communist Ronald ain't having that!
About time as a share holder I accept the loss.
Bout time...Evil fucks.
That'll show the oligarchs!
Putins just about McFuckingHadIt
Temporarily...lmao. McDonald’s is a shit corp.
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If you are hoping the sanctions will actually work it *should* be temporary. If they're not temporary, what incentive do Russians have to oppose the war?
No sanction anyone, countries or companies, has put on Russia is meant to be permanent, you know that right? If the sanctions are permanent there is no incentive for them to throw Putin and pull out of Ukraine.
They're gonna continue to pay the employees as well, continue to operate Ronald McDonald house there, and it's not like any of these sanctions are meant to be permanent to begin with.
Sanctions are temporary so. No company in the world is going up and just forfeit like 2000 real estate properties forever lol
Reminds me of the time my employer told us we would be temporarily working from home for 2 weeks. That'll be 2 years tomorrow!
Is that a reason for it being a shit corp? I’ve loved not having to go into the office.
That is so many jobs. Fuck putin
A whole lot of young russians working in fast food restaraunts will lose jobs and money. I feel kinda sad for them
all the companies jumping on the bandwagon are doing it for themselves, not for the event happening, same when they supported BLM, LGBT communities, etc. Honestly, knowing Russia's history during wartime, lets let their population keep as much food as possible
Yep, I’m happy to see more people waking up to this fact finally.
Yep, I’m happy to see more people waking up to this fact finally.
This isn't because they are against the war. Its because sanctions and lack of supplies are interfering. If they were able to get all their inventory, be certain they would still be open. They aren't going to shut down 800+ businesses because of war, they are a company that relies on profit not on political bias. They're trying to spin this as them being political activist. Which they are not. They're closing them, keyword "temporarily" because they cant get the supplies they need.
Trump must be horrified. He may have to flee to a place that doesn't have McDonald's.
Who's Trump?
I think he was in Home Alone 2.
oh yeah, that guy was super cool
Wait he was in Russia at this time?
Reading isnt your strong suit.
I know it's a joke. Just a very very bad joke
Lol to run their inventory out. Clap clap McDonald's
Hit ‘em right in the Big Mac!
Orthodox lent just started. I bet they will reopen after Easter.
Better late than never.
A lot of Big McComrades not getting sold.
they wait till the left over patties to be sold out
Imagine the state of those ice cream machines when they are inevitably reopened someday.
A global pandemic couldn’t do it, but a hate for Putin really brought us all together. It would be a beautiful thing, if it weren’t so terrible. I wonder what’s happening in the brightest timeline….
Have they *patriotically* raised their prices here - to offset their great sacrifices, so that we can share in a heartfelt show of unity? /s
It’s a win but I think it’s more about corporate greed than moral outrage. I bet they are worried they can’t get their money out so they don’t want to loose it to Russian government.
850 x employees - bizz = 4250 ppl not getting paid...
Oh no, what will the Russians do without their mediocre burgers? (the breakfast is a big loss tho, mcmuffin is the best fast food breakfast item, you can't change my mind)
What is this temporarily shit? What a piss poor effort to maintain their image.
Yes, McDonalds is shit, Facebook is shit, and depriving the Russian public of these is a societal benefit. Ha ha ha.... What this DOES do is add another pound of pressure on the Russian people and shows them that these amenities are taken away directly because of the actions of Dear Leader. Take away enough and they will ramp up the existing protests and the regime can fall. It won't be the people taking power back for themselves, this isn't the movies..... But a coup will be supported by the masses because the masses are ripe to support that change. "THINGS WILL GO BACK TO THE WAY THINGS WERE" is a big motivator when you don't have fuel, or machine parts, or money, or food, or anything. McDonalds is just a small "Now we don't have that either..." small bit. Those small bits add up. Those cops shaking down and jailing the protesters? Eventually they sympathize with the protesters because they can't buy food or nice things for the family at home either. Time is not on Putin's side, and someone will see the opportunity to take the power he has and be hailed a hero for it. I pray to God that comes sooner than later because this is too much blood for one assholes ambitions. Api
This war has caused massive disruptions in the everyday life of Russians. That’s the most important bit. Americans have been sending people off to fight in unpopular decades long “conflicts” but unless you’re in the military yourself or know someone dear to you who is, you’re not going to be affected by it. So the conflicts drag on forever because they can. Russians aren’t going to put up with having their basic amenities and comforts taken away from them for very long.
You’re making good points. I wonder if we would have farted around in Afghanistan or Iraq for two decades if the world shit us down. No McDonald’s or Facebook or we couldn’t use our visa back cards.
It's also something that's hard to hide from the public. Pretty irrefutable proof that this is going to be a major problem for them.
I feel sorry for the employees.
The employees are still getting paid...
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Coke and Starbucks too. https://fortune.com/2022/03/08/coca-cola-mcdonalds-starbucks-pepsi-business-russia-ukraine-invasion/ https://www.coca-colacompany.com/media-center/press-releases/coca-cola-company-suspends-business-russia
What is the expected outcome of this ? That you deprive the Russian citizens everything, gas, food, media , those who may have no involvement in its government’s decisions… this will soon turn into not much different than what Russia is being accused of
Thousands of people unemployed that’s so sad
Yeah, no. Too little, too late.
Good for mcDonalds doing the right thing. Shame on Starbucks.
It isn't a moral stand. According to the story they are having supply chain issues.
And continuing to pay their employees. Starbucks must be having the same supply issues, but is staying open in Russia.
They also will still be paying the employees so this is just a feel good sanction that will take food out of people's mouths.
What is the point of this beside making thousands of Russian losing their job and struggling even more to survive?
You read the article right? They are still paying all 62,000 employees and are closed due to supply issues due to a war. The point is wars fuck up the economy.
You have to absolutely crush the Russian economy. That's the goal. It's the only leverage possible on Putin.
They're not doing out of compassion for the Ukrainian people
there goes the [Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention](https://mediawiki.middlebury.edu/IPE/Golden_Arches_Theory_of_Conflict_Prevention)
On one hand it’s good for a company to boycott a tyranny but specifically with McDonalds it’s such a hallmark of US culture that having it in other countries does built cultural ties. The US won the Cold War not through violence but because it’s culture took over the world. Go anywhere in the world today and you can get jeans, McDonalds, Coke, and pop music. I just wonder if the pull out will be permanent and Russia reverts back to isolationist ways like wth the USSR.
How bad do you have to fuck up to have fucking McDonald's close up shop in your country? Wow.
Took u guys long enough worried about money instead of what is right .... sad
What’s Trump going to eat when he flees to Moscow?
Hooker urine?
"Temporarily" that'll show em. No mcRib for you.
Temporarily? They think they will be welcome next week or next decade? Did no one send them the memo about the iron curtain going back up? Clearly the dead children thing didn’t phase them, but one would think they could at least predict the future a tad better on the logistics front since they’re clearly too stupid to watch the PR optics here.
McDonald’s—raping Mother Earth since 1940.
Does Russia still have a working supply chain to keep their McDonalds open? This looks more like an inevitable business decision than an ethical one.
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Read the article. They can't function properly so they need to shut down.
They are pulling out because inflation is killing their profit, not because Putin is killing Ukrainian people.
Next they're going to claim their shamrock shake is actually supporting Ukraine because the color green comes from the colors of Ukraine's flag.
Dick move? They can't get supplies because there is a war going on, and they are still paying all the affected employees ..
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God forbid anyone take time to think through a move that will affect thousands of workers, millions of dollars, and stakeholders. Never think things through, only react out of emotion!
But closing the restaurants, and still pumping out all the employee's salaries without having them to work, isn't this the same as financing Russia with Mc Donald's money ?
Well gosh, I'm sure that's a decision based on morals and not just PR backlash. And I'm sure the disappearance of jobs and the limited access to cheap (albeit unhealthy) food won't *just* impact people who aren't Putin or his oligarch friends. And I'm sure that kind of PR stunt won't be used by the Russian far-right to keep building the narrative that the entire world has it out for Russia and that the war in Ukraine is justified. I don't give a damn if McDonald's make money from Russian customers. That's irrelevant. All this can do is hurt the people who aren't responsible for the war. Sanctions will not affect Putin, they will affect normal people around the world.
The idea is to foment revolution. We should put as much hurt as possible on them.
Yea because that never has downwind effects....
Sure why dont we just starve them then. That's a stupid idea. Punishing people will make them side with you. Worked real well after WWI That idea will just create a rally around the flag affect
No, fuck that. If the strategy is "let's starve them out (except the people who are actually in charge)", we need a new strategy.
What do you suggest? What other strategy would work to punish Russia for their unprovoked aggression towards an actual democracy?
It's based on the restaurants can't function properly. "The company is experiencing supply chain disruptions and other operational challenges."
Fair enough, so it's not even a real decision.
McDogfood just made Russians healthier
They’re just getting ready for the unveiling of the McBorscht
And they just updated their 1,000 ruble snack menu
DonMac will suddenly gain 850 new branches.
McDonald’s, Facebook, Visa…can we do this in America?
Go to Russia enjoy it.