U.S. fast-food giant McDonald's has permanently closed a restaurant for the first time in its 25-year history in Russia, news agency TASS reported.
The restaurant, located in the Belgorod region to the south of Moscow, was closed after McDonald's and the property's owner were unable to agree on rental payments, TASS reported this week.
The fast-food giant, whose golden arches have long symbolized the United States abroad, first opened a store in Russia in 1990, at the tail end of the Soviet era.
The success of that branch on Moscow's Pushkin Square, which drew famously long lines of Soviet citizens, was followed by an expansion across Russia. After the closure of the restaurant in the Belgorod region, McDonald's will still have 492 locations around the country, according to the company's website.
Last year Russian consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor temporarily closed 12 McDonald's branches over alleged health code violations, which many interpreted as retaliation against Western sanctions over Moscow's role in the Ukraine crisis. In November a Belgorod court fined McDonald's 100,000 rubles ($1,925) for alleged health violations.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.