Stadler refuses to make rolling stock for Minsk subway – official

July 21, BPN. Stadler, a Swiss company that designs and manufactures rail vehicles, has halted the production of rolling stock for the Minsk subway, according to a city official.

Nadzieja Łazarevič, who oversees the industrial sector, told subway workers that the decision was linked to “sanctions pressure” that also forced Belarus to buy new electric trains from Russia, Minsk-Novosti reported.

Stadler opened a branch in Fanipal, Minsk region, in 2014. The plant was reported to have the initial annual capacity of 120 cars.

The plant’s future remains uncertain. It has not announced its withdrawal from Belarus but said last year that it “sought to maintain a minimum level of projects and orders.”

Last month, Lithuanian Transport Minister Marius Skuodis said Stadler was leaving Belarus, but the corporate website lists openings for engineers in Fanipal.