MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. AvtoVAZ currently has no contacts with its former partner Renault, the press service of the Russian carmaker told TASS.
Earlier, chief executive of the French automaker Luca de Meo told the Financial Times that Renault does not rule out the possibility of its return to the Russian market.
"AvtoVAZ currently has no contacts with its former partner," the press service of said in response to a request from the news agency.
A representative of the Rostec corporation (a shareholder of AvtoVAZ) also confirmed to TASS that AvtoVAZ has no contacts with Renault concerning its possible return to Russia.
A TASS source in government agencies believes that the return of the French automaker to Russia is unlikely.
"Even if there is such a desire, it is not a fact that the company is expected in Russia," he said.
Renault announced the suspension of their operations in Russia in March 2022 following the start of the special military operation in Ukraine.
On May 16, 2022, the Industry and Trade Ministry reported that the Russian assets of the Renault group had become state-owned. The shares of the Renault Russia plant were transferred to the Moscow government, Renault's stake in AvtoVAZ was transferred to the NAMI institute (subordinate to the Industry and Trade Ministry).