Washington’s push to swiftly end the conflict in Ukraine has sparked speculation that Western brands may want to return to Russia, but from fashion to cars, the markets they vacated now look more competitive than three years ago. As Ukraine marked the anniversary of Russian troops flooding across its border, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the conflict could end within weeks, though it is not yet clear how. Western sanctions that complicate cross-border payments and trade flows would probably need softening for companies to return in large numbers.
