Retail giant IKEA halts operations in Russia, Belarus

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - Swedish furniture retailer IKEA is suspending all its operations in Russia and Belarus over Moscow's war in Ukraine, it announced on Thursday.

In a statement, the company said the war, which began on Feb. 24, has had a huge human impact and is also resulting in serious disruptions to supply chain and trading conditions. "For all of these reasons, the company groups have decided to temporarily pause IKEA operations in Russia," the readout said.

This includes pausing export and import to and from Russia and Belarus, and suspending production operations and IKEA retail operations in Russia.

These decisions have a direct impact on 15,000 IKEA co-workers, the statement said, adding that company groups will secure employment and income stability and provide support to them and their families in the region.

Meanwhile, the IKEA Foundation announced an immediate donation of €20 million for humanitarian assistance to those who have been forcibly displaced as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. At least 1 million refugees from Ukraine have fled to neighboring countries, according to the UN Refugee Agency.

The brand founded in 1943 is owned by Inter IKEA and Ingka groups.