McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks are among companies criticised for not pulling out of Russia

Big western firms including McDonald’s are facing a backlash for continuing to operate in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Several companies are still doing business in Russia with Burger King, KFC, Pepsi and Coca-Cola all continuing to cash in.

However other big firms such as Apple and Visa will pause trade in Russia, The Mirror reports.

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Labour’s Chris Bryant accused some giants of “losing their moral compass”.

The public backlash against mega rich western firms still trading in Russia was tonight growing as they faced further demands to pull out.

While some big names have suspended activities, others such as McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Starbucks continue to operate in the country, despite the invasion of Ukraine.

Calls to boycott those firms grew, in a bid to further isolate Vladimir Putin over his barbaric shelling of innocent civilians as his forces sweep through the land.

Labour MP Chris Bryant said it was “appalling” that the firms “won’t do the right thing”. He added: “Some of these multinationals have lost their moral compass.”

Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey added: “Too many Western companies seem to think it’s ­business as usual despite Putin’s horrific invasion of Ukraine.

“Apple, Visa, Netflix and others have bravely led the way by pulling out of Russia. I hope others will now follow. It’s time to cut Putin’s rogue regime off for good.”

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was today asked if she backed the idea of “Pepsi, McDonald’s and Coke withdrawing from Russia” and she replied: “Yes.”

McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Starbucks and KFC owner Yum Brands were approached