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Russian President Vladimir Putin has derided Coca-Cola and suggested that ‘Ivan Tea’ – a medicinal brew made from Siberian fireweed – is a more “useful” refreshment. Coca-Cola pulled out of the Russian market in June over Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine.
Participating in the ‘Strong Ideas for New Times’ forum in Moscow on Wednesday, Putin was approached by Alexander Khlynov from the Union of Ivan Tea Producers, who proposed the government help boost production of the traditional Russian drink.
Putin agreed to bring Khlynov’s proposal to Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev, and gave the tea his personal approval. “Indeed, it is certainly more useful than Coca-Cola,” he remarked, “which is all chemicals.”
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