STOCKHOLM, May 8 Reuters IKEA has extended the period it will pay nearly 15,000 staff in Russia by three months, through August, and may continue to pay workers beyond that.

The world39;s biggest furniture brand in early March said it would temporarily close stores and pause sourcing in Russia, citing supply chain disruption and challenging trading conditions due to Russia39;s invasion of Ukraine. At that time, it said all affected staff would be paid, in roubles, at least through May. 

We have managed to prolong that to six months, Tolga Oncu at IKEA stores owner Ingka Group told Reuters in an interview. We keep monitoring, analysing, looking at what39;s happening and will make decisions as we go forward.

Many Western companies have paused operations in Russia due its invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions against Moscow, and a growing number of businesses have flagged they will exit the country indefinitely.

Firms including McDonalds and Renault, have said they will continue to pay staff in Russia for the time being.

Russia has warned it may nationalise foreign businesses that have shelved operations in the country.

IKEA operates through a franchise system with Ingka the main franchisee to Inter IKEA, which is also in charge of supply and in Russia employs 2,500 at three factories.

Ingka, also one of the world39;s biggest shopping centre owners, has so far kept its 14 malls in Russia, branded MEGA, open.

Oncu declined to give details on where the…