Online Public Relations Thoughts

A host of international companies are pulling back or ending their operations in Russia.  One wonders if this is symbolic action or a real effort to punish Putin. Capitalism is politically neutral.  It works where there is money to be made.  Ending presence in a country tends to be an image-enhancing move with tendrils remaining in place for a return.  Russia is too large of a country to ignore, and odds are that some of the corporations pulling back now will return quietly in the near future.  Their boycott has a time limit.  Once Ukraine falls from the headlines, they will restart and forge ahead as long as there are rubles to earn.  The only barrier is the financial condition of the country.  If sanctions are successful, there won't be currency available and no reason to return.  Only time will tell.