Ukrainian Ambassador urges Jameson boycott after Russian supply resumes

Ukraine's Ambassador to Ireland has urged people to stop buying Jameson whiskey in protest at the company’s decision to resume trade in Russia.

Larysa Gerasko has accused Jameson of playing a role in financing Russian aggression in Ukraine by continuing to trade in Russia.

Jameson, which is owned by the French company Pernod Ricard, resumed sales in Russia last year, claiming it fully complies with all international sanctions.

The company said it took the decision in order to protect its local teams, their livelihoods and the welfare of their families.

"This also meant reducing the quantities being sold to avoid 'intentional bankruptcy’ which is a criminal offence in Russia and represents a significant risk for our employees" the company said in a statement posted on its website.

"In doing everything we can to manage the situation, the reality of exiting Russia is both complex and extremely challenging," it added.

But Ms Gerasko said she does not accept the company’s rationale for resuming its Russian business.

"On the one hand this company wants to protect a few employees, but tens of thousands of Ukrainians, every single day, have been killed by Russia," she said.

"We pay the highest price, by human life, and we call on all companies to stop any trade relationship with the aggressor state, the terrorist state."

Ms Gerasko said if Jameson wants to protect its employees it would be better to move them to safer countries, like France or Ireland.

She also said she will no longer be purchasing Jameson products and encouraged pubs, restaurants and customers to take a similar decision.

She said when Swedish farmers stopped supplying grain to Pernod Ricard for the manufacture of Absolut vodka, the company reversed its decision to trade in Russia.

"I want to say, I am not going to buy Jameson products anymore," she said.

Ms Gerasko said she made efforts to raise her concerns directly with the makers of Jameson whiskey a number of weeks ago, but nobody from the company got back to her.

"Of course we are disappointed we haven’t heard from them," she said.

"We are very concerned because by trading with Russia, companies finance the Russian war machine."

She said she wanted to ask Jameson to stop trade and exports to Russia.

Pernod Ricard said it is working hard to find the best way to navigate the problem "including stopping the export of our international brands while ensuring the welfare and safety of our team, conceding the local legal constraints."

It said its commitment is to protect its colleagues in the region.

"We continue to work hard to find the best solution to this difficult dilemma."

Irish Distillers, and its parent company Pernod Ricard said it did not receive any invitation to meet with the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland.

Pernod Ricard also said the business would be able to provide clarity on its operations in Russia in the coming weeks.

IC UAC according to rte.ie