Ikea, the world's largest furniture maker, is temporarily ceasing operations in Russia.
Ikea announced this on Thursday.
The decision applies to the stationary business as well as to imports and exports and other business activities of the furniture giant.
The shopping centers that the Ikea Group operates in Russia and in which other companies also have branches are excluded.
In Russia, this includes 14 shopping centers in the 11 largest cities in Russia.
Main source country for wood
Ikea said in a press release that this step would affect 15,000 employees, 17 branches and three production facilities.
The furniture giant cited the humanitarian consequences of the “destructive war” and the severe disruption to supply chains and trade as the reason.
Ikea has been active in Russia since 2000.
Although the company sources wood from 50 countries, Russia is one of the main sourcing countries.
In ally Belarus, suppliers are affected.
Ikea promised to support its local employees.