McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Starbucks stop sales in Russia

McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Starbucks have joined the list of companies that have temporarily suspended their activities in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.

McDonald's announced that it had temporarily closed about 850 restaurants in Russia, while Starbucks said it would also close 100 cafes.

McDonald's said the move was in response to the "needless human suffering that is so evident in Ukraine."

The company added that it was "impossible to predict" when its restaurants will reopen.

“The conflict in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe have caused untold suffering to innocent people,” CEO Chris Kempinski said in an internal memo to employees. “We join the world in condemning aggression and violence and praying for peace.”

The American restaurant chain confirmed that it will continue to pay the salaries of its approximately 62,000 employees in Russia.

The decision came after McDonald's, Coca-Cola and other companies came under pressure as Russian violence against civilians in Ukraine escalated.

The McDonald's and Coca-Cola county hashtags had a great deal of interaction on social media, and were the most popular on Twitter in America over the weekend and Monday, respectively.

Dozens of prominent companies have suspended their operations or services in Russia amid heavy sanctions imposed by Western countries.

McDonald's entered Moscow in 1990, as Russia opened up the economy, and attracted thousands of consumers to its products.