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'Let them be scared': Moscow sends EU message with widening corporate crackdown
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- Russia has intensified efforts to place European-owned companies under temporary management, citing the EU's alleged involvement in the Ukraine war, with recent targets including Nestle, Metro AG, and Auchan.
- Kremlin officials warn of further actions against European firms and accuse them of deliberately undermining their Russian operations, harming the Russian economy.
- Russia claims these measures respond to the "increasing involvement" of EU countries in hostilities against Russia, though the Kremlin suggests the actions could be reversible if dialogue occurs.
- The EU, which supports Ukraine and recently expanded sanctions against Russia, has not commented on Russia's latest moves; meanwhile, Russia criticizes the EU for freezing Russian sovereign assets and targeting Russian companies abroad.
- Since the war's start, Russia has imposed temporary administration on 135 foreign-affiliated firms, mostly European, while US companies have largely avoided such measures, with around 300 still operating in Russia.
