A Russian-branded vodka is getting a name change to protest Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The Stoli Group, which produces the vodka Stolichnaya out of Latvia, issued a press release on Friday saying its products would now be sold and marketed under its nickname “Stoli” in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s invasion of Ukraine. Stolichnaya is a Russian word that translates roughly to “metropolitan,” according to Eater.
“While I have been exiled from Russia since 2000 due to my opposition to Putin, I have remained proud of the Stolichnaya brand,” said Stoli Group founder Yuri Shefler, who was born in Russia. “Today, we have made the decision to rebrand entirely as the name no longer represents our organization. More than anything, I wish for ‘Stoli’ to represent peace in Europe and solidarity with Ukraine.”
PUBLIX PULLS ALL RUSSIAN VODKA OFF SHELVES TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
The vodka company had already posted a lengthy statement on its homepage condemning the invasion.
“I have personally experienced persecution by Putin’s regime and I share the pain of Ukraine and its people,” Shefler said. The post also noted after Shefler bought the “business in 1997,” Putin began a “battle over” Stoli vodka trademark rights around the planet and led to “an inferior Russian product called Stolichnaya in very limited markets.”
Since Shefler’s exile from Russia, the “production facilities” for Stoli have been stationed in Latvia, the Friday press release noted.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have announced sanctions on Russia’s economy in light of its Ukraine invasion. Companies too have rallied in protest, with Starbucks, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi becoming the latest U.S. brands to suspend business activity in Russia.
Governors in states such as Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire announced bans on selling Russian vodka at liquor stores. While the move to ban Russian-branded alcohol is meant to be a show of solidarity for Ukraine, only about 1% of vodka in the U.S. comes from Russia, according to CNN.
