Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged French companies to leave the Russian market in his Wednesday address to the French National Assembly, naming large retailers and automobile manufacturers as "sponsors" of the war in his home country.
"French companies must leave the Russian market," Zelensky said to French lawmakers via Zoom. "Renault, Auchan, Leroy Merlin and others. They must cease to be sponsors of Russia's military machine, sponsors of the killing of children and women, sponsors of rape, robbery and looting by the Russian army."
"All companies must remember once and for all that values are worth more than profit, especially profit on blood," he continued. "We must already think about the future. About how we will live after this war."
Earlier this week, French carmaker Renault resumed operations at its Russian production facilities as international companies have pulled out of the country as part of a mass withdrawal in opposition to the invasion of Ukraine. Over 36,000 people in Russia work for the company and 8 percent of Renault's core earnings come from Russia.
Hours after Zelensky's address, Renault halted operations at its Moscow plant.
Regarding AvtoVAZ—a major Russian car manufacturer owned by Renault—Renault said it is "assessing the available options, taking into account the current environment, while acting responsibly towards its 45,000 employees in Russia."
French retailers Auchan, a supermarket group, and Leroy Merlin, which sells home improvement and gardening products, have continued to operate in Russia. Auchan makes $3.5 billion in revenue from Russia and Leroy Merlin makes $4 billion.
Auchan declined Newsweek's request for comment. Newsweek also reached out to Leroy Merlin but did not hear back before publication.
Other French companies that are still in Russia include sporting goods retailer Decathlon and investment bank Société Générale, according to the Yale School of Management's ongoing list of companies that are still doing business in the country.
On Wednesday, Zelensky also pleaded for France to send more weapons and air-raid defenses to Ukraine.
"Tomorrow will be a month since Ukrainians have been fighting for their own lives, for their own freedom, since our army has been heroically opposing the overwhelming forces of Russia," Zelensky said.
"In order for freedom not to lose, it must be well-armed. Tanks and anti-tank weapons, aviation and air defense," he added. "In order for freedom not to lose, the world must support it with sanctions against the aggressor, a new sanctions package every week."
The president described the hostile situation in Ukraine, telling stories about the bombing of a maternity hospital and the resulting civilian deaths. He emphasized the urgency of the moment, saying Europe has not seen such horrors for decades.
"We expect from France, from your leadership, that you will be able to make Russia seek peace, to make it end this war against freedom, against equality, against brotherhood, against everything that made Europe united and full of free diverse life," Zelensky said.
He received a standing ovation from parliament after his 20-minute speech.
Update 03/24/22, 9:00 a.m. ET: This story was updated with developments from Renault and comment from Auchan.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Katherine Fung is a Newsweek reporter based in New York City. Her focus is reporting on U.S. and world politics. ... Read more
