Putin Transfers Control Of AB InBev’s Russian Unit To Local Firm

Russian President Vladimir Putin has transferred control of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Russian operations to a local company, disrupting the Belgian brewer’s plans to exit the market through a deal with a Turkish partner, Beril Akman reported for Bloomberg News.

Under the deal, Anadolu Efes would become the sole owner of the Russian unit, while AB InBev would take control of the Ukrainian operations. I Photo: AB InBev

According to a presidential decree published on Monday, the Vmeste group of companies now has temporary control of AB InBev Efes Russia, a joint venture between AB InBev and Turkey’s Anadolu Efes.

The decree provided no details about Vmeste.

Previously, AB InBev and Anadolu Efes had agreed to swap stakes in their businesses in Russia and Ukraine.

Under the deal, Anadolu Efes would become the sole owner of the Russian unit, while AB InBev would take control of the Ukrainian operations. However, Moscow's intervention has cast uncertainty on whether AB InBev will eventually be able to exit Russia.

The Ukrainian portion of the deal, contingent on regulatory approvals—including Kremlin consent—also remains unclear. Shares of AB InBev fell 1.5%, while Anadolu Efes shares dropped 10%.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western multinationals have been grappling with decisions to either exit Russia with minimal losses or continue operations while safeguarding assets, profits, and employees.