German firms pay most taxes in Russia among all EU countries – Bild

Bild shared the data. 

Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 371 German companies operated in Russia. Today, their number has decreased, but it still remains large – 262 German firms continue their work in Russia.

In 2022, according to a study by the Ukrainian NGO B4Ukraine, they paid $402 million in taxes to the Russian budget. This is a record figure among all EU countries.

Only US companies paid more taxes.

In principle, it is still legal to do business with Russia: only certain goods and services are banned, such as auditing, IT consulting, imports and purchases of oil, luxury cars, jewellery, and aerospace products.

Nevertheless, many German companies have left Russia since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, including Siemens, Daimler and Wella. At the same time, such giants as Metro, Bayer, BMW, Hochland, Robert Bosch, Knauf Gips and others continue to make money in Russia and pay taxes to the country's budget. According to B4Ukraine, some of the remaining German companies took advantage of the departure of competitors and increased their turnover.

• On August 23,2022,  Bloomberg reported that a Toyota plant was suspending production in Russia because the automaker's plant in Shushary had been idle since early March due to logistical difficulties. The decision to close the plant is due to the inability to resume regular deliveries. Imports of the brand's cars to Russia have been suspended.

• On September 2, 2022,  one of the world's largest home appliance manufacturers, Swedish company Electrolux, and Norwegian energy company Equinor decided to leave the Russian market.

• On September 8, 2022, Sony Music Group, the world's second largest record company, left the Russian market.

• On November 3, 2022,  Japanese car manufacturer Infiniti followed its parent company Nissan out of the Russian market and transferred its warranty obligations to dealers.

• On November 10,  2022, the Japanese automotive corporation Mazda Motor said that it had decided to cease operations in Russia, transferring its entire stake in Russia to Sollers for €1.

• On November 24, it was announced that mobile operator Veon would sell its Russian business to VimpelCom for $2.15 billion.

• On April 20, 2022, German household chemicals manufacturer Henkel signed an agreement with a consortium of Russian investors to sell its business in the country.

• According to The Insider, the German company Leica, which announced its withdrawal from the Russian market at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, is still selling binoculars and scopes to the aggressor country.