The Marriott hotel chain has announced its exit from Russia after 25 years, citing Western restrictions as making continued operations “impossible.”
Following the invasion of Ukraine, the company closed its Moscow office and halted investment in Russia in March.
However, its 22 hotels throughout the country are owned by third parties and continue to operate.
The process of suspending operations in Russia, according to Marriott, was “complex.”
But in a statement, it said: “We have come to the view that newly announced US, UK and EU restrictions will make it impossible for Marriott to continue to operate or franchise hotels in the Russian market.”
The company said it remained “focused on taking care of our Russian-based associates” and had been supporting individuals in Ukraine and Russia to secure employment with Marriott outside countries affected by the conflict.
“We continue to join our associates and millions of people around the world in wishing for an end to the current violence and the start of a path towards peace,” it added.
Marriott has joined McDonald’s, Starbucks, and other companies in fleeing Ukraine as the war continues and Western sanctions aimed at economically isolating Russia tighten.
The public outcry over Vladimir Putin’s invasion pushed Western brands to distance themselves as well. Hotel brands have come under fire for being among the slowest to respond.
“The process of suspending operations in a market where Marriott has operated for the past 25 years is complicated,” the company said in a statement.
Marriott did not provide any additional information about its exit.