Commentary: Russian invasion of Ukraine could trigger new levels of corporate activism
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have blocked Russian state media from running ads and FedEx and UPS suspended shipments to and from Russia ... If other business leaders and their companies join in, their actions and words could create additional pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and further isolate his country.
... “Russia’s attack on Ukraine is an act of aggression which is having tragic consequences across the region. BP has operated in Russia for over 30 years, working with brilliant Russian colleagues. However, this military action represents a fundamental change. It has led the bp board to conclude, after a thorough process, that our involvement with Rosneft, a state-owned enterprise, simply cannot continue,” BP chair Helge Lund said in a statement.
... Delta Air Lines cut their ties with Aeroflot, the Russian national airline... U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark said in a statement that, “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a serious breach of international law, a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, and an affront to our steadfast belief in a world where democratic countries, following the rule of law and the free enterprise system, can be free and prosper.
... CEOs who are reluctant to be the public face of their organizations or engage in corporate activism should consider the results of a new poll that found people want top company executives to be visible and expect them to speak out on controversial issues and topics.