Description: 

McDonald's has said it will permanently leave Russia after more than 30 years and has started to sell its restaurants. The move comes after the chain temporarily closed its 850 outlets in March. The fast food giant said it made the decision because of the "humanitarian crisis" and "unpredictable operating environment" caused by the Ukraine war. The opening of McDonald's first restaurant in Moscow in 1990 came to symbolize a thaw in Cold War tensions. 

Transcription: 

McDonald’s is selling its business in Russia in response to the war in Ukraine. Burger chain said it wasn't consistent with its values to continue operating there. McDonald’s temporarily closed all its Russian outlets in March. The BBC's Russian editor Steve Rosenberg says it's very much the end of an era. Steve Rosenberg: Well, McDonald’s had temporarily shut its restaurants across Russia back in March. That's when a lot of international companies and global brands had suspended their operations. The fact that McDonald’s has now come out and said look that's it. We're selling up, we're pulling out. Um... I think that is recognition of the reality. Really, that things are not going to return to normal here. That what the kremlin calls its special military operation. What most of the world calls Russia's war has changed things long term. So McDonald’s issued a statement in which it said that "owning a business in Russia was no longer tenable or consistent with McDonald’s value". Now, this really is the end of an era. I remember when the first McDonald’s restaurant opened in Russia way back in 1990 back in the USSR. There was such excitement such huge crowds. I had a cue for three hours to get in. And I remember that day, American burgers and fries and pies they really were a symbol that day of Moscow embracing the west. You know fast hot food to help end the cold war. But fast forward, 32 years things have changed. And basically Russia and the west have lost their appetite for one another because Russia's offensive in Ukraine has sparked international condemnation and sanctions and the kremlin accuses the west of threatening Russia. 

Questions: 

1. When was McDonald’s had temporarily shut? When was it open in Russia? 

2. Why does McDonald’s leave Russia for good?

3. What were the symbol that made Moscow embracing the west?