MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. Russia will not allow a situation where domestic businesses that have occupied the niches freed after the departure of Western companies face threats when those foreign companies return, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Now that we have a sufficiently rich experience, we will in no way allow [for a situation where] those niches that were freed by foreigners and which are now occupied by our businesses to be threatened in any way, jeopardizing the interests of Russian businessmen who invested their money, who had enough courage in difficult times to make domestic investments," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman assured that "they will be a complete priority."

"We will protect their interests in every possible way," he added.

However, the Kremlin official stressed that investors are welcome in Russia.

"The market is open to them, but we will take our experience into account," Peskov warned.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said that domestic producers should be given advantages in the event of foreign companies returning to the country's market, but this should be done in compliance with the requirements of the World Trade Organization. In turn, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov noted that Russia will closely consider the return of companies that left its market in 2022.