[dylan604]

>You have to wonder what the executives thought of this!

Based on the time period, in the words of Rick James, "cocaine is a helluva drug." If that was the actual reason, it makes total sense. If that's not the reason, then what the actual f were they doing?

[sandworm101]

There weren't many products in the Soviet Union that could be sold in the west. They needed a commodity that was to western standards. Soviet steel had full scrap value in the west and the ships were mobile. Pepsi also traded for tomato paste.

[monocasa]

There wasn't a usable forex market for ruble to USD. At that point you drop down to essentially bartering.

[saalweachter]

Bribing someone?