Scotch whisky brands still being sold in Russia despite outrage from Ukraine campaigners

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A global drinks giant has been called on to stop selling Scotch whisky in Russia.Iconic brands such as Glenlivet and Ballantine's are still being sold in Russian shops despite Vladimir Putin's on-going invasion of Ukraine.Pernod Ricard, the world's second largest wines and spirits producer, provoked outrage after it was revealed it had resumed exports to Moscow.Pro-Ukraine campaigners last night called for the drinks industry to stop doing business with the French conglomerate until it halted all sales in Russia.A protest was held outside the World Distilled Spirits Conference, which is taking place in Edinburgh this week.Anna Kitzberg, of Help Ukraine Scotland, said: "The Scottish people are rightly proud of their support for Ukraine, and of the international reputation of their whiskies. "Meanwhile, Pernod Ricard benefits from Russian money and brings profit to the Russian economy, paying taxes and generating funds that go towards buying weaponry killing Ukrainian civilians. "The whisky industry and the people of Scotland should call them out and say: we want no part of this."A spokesperson for the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain said: "In light of the continuing Russian war against Ukraine and with the recent drone attacks on Ukraine causing death to innocent civilians and destruction to private property, we are disappointed to learn that Glenlivet, Jameson, Beefeater are still trading with Russia. "The whole industry should be appalled at what Pernod Ricard is doing."Pernod Ricard owns several brands of Scotch and initially halted sales in Russia last year but they were reportedly restarted last month.It employs several hundred staff in Scotland, mainly at its Kilmalid whisky bottling operation in