McDonald's and PepsiCo are among the food and drink companies being urged by political figures to stop doing business in Russia

• McDonald's and PepsiCo, along with many others, are being urged to end their business in Russia.

• New York's state comptroller wrote to several companies calling for action, Reuters reported.

• John Mann, a British politician, has made similar requests.

McDonald's and PepsiCo are among the food and drink companies facing increased pressure to cut business ties with Russia, following its invasion of Ukraine.

In letters sent on Friday, Thomas DiNapoli, New York's state comptroller, urged companies to rethink their Russian business operations because they face "significant and growing legal, compliance, operational, human rights and personnel, and reputational risks," Reuters reported.

DiNapoli said that suspending or ending business in Russia "would address various investment risks associated with the Russian market." It would also play a key role in "condemning Russia's role in fundamentally undermining the international order," he added.

McDonald's and PepsiCo did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside normal working hours.

Other companies, including Estée Lauder, Kimberly-Clark Corp., Coty Inc., Mondelez International Inc., Fortinet Inc., Bunge Ltd., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Trimble Inc., were also asked in letters to boycott business in Russia, Reuters reported.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked attack, scores of companies have taken action by ending or limiting their commercial dealings with Russia.

Ikea, Spotify, and Nike were among the major companies that recently severed business ties with Russia. Some retail brands, including Publix and Kroger, also showed their solidarity with Ukraine by removing Russian vodka from store shelves.

John Mann, a British politician, called for similar action to DiNapoli. He tweeted: "If Mcdonalds and Starbucks continue to sell in Russia then an international boycott of their products should" be instigated.

Social-media users have also called for company boycotts, with McDonald's facing particular scrutiny.

One user who posted a photo of open McDonald's stores in Russia said: "Guess who is doing business as normal in #Russia no surprise #BoycottMcDonalds."

Another said: "@McDonalds Leave #Russia or lose loyal customers, the choice is yours. #BoycottMcDonalds."

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