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Russia places more European firms' assets under temporary management, citing EU role in war

Russia has put the assets of Nestlé, Metro and Auchan, among others, under temporary management. A senior Russian government source told Reuters the aim is to pressure the EU over sanctions, and the Kremlin says European involvement in the war drove the decision.

2 outlets · 1L · 0C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: The Straits Times
Image: Meduza

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The story, neutrally told

Russia placed the assets of Swiss food group Nestlé, German wholesaler Metro and French retailer Auchan under temporary management in September, in a widening move against European companies. Meduza reports that on 17 September President Vladimir Putin signed a law covering Auchan, Nestlé, Lemana PRO (formerly Leroy Merlin) and FM Logistic, with L.E.V. Management put in charge, and that Metro's assets followed on 28 September. A senior Russian government source told Reuters: "The time has come for asymmetric measures. Let them think about what measures they are taking and what sanctions they are introducing."

Asked whether UniCredit's or Raiffeisen's Russian units could be next, the source replied: "Let them be scared." A Russian corporate source accused European firms of deliberately stifling the growth of their Russian units, while a senior manager at a European company said businesses expected the status quo to hold for now. On 29 September the Kremlin said the decisions reflected the involvement of "unfriendly countries" in hostilities against Russia. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested the moves were "reversible" but said there were no grounds for reversal now.

Reuters noted that Peskov gave no evidence of how European states were involved in military operations. It said Russian officials have previously cited weapons supplies, drone manufacture and intelligence-sharing. According to TASS data cited by Reuters, Russia has introduced temporary administration at 135 firms affiliated with foreign companies, mostly from EU countries. No major US company has been targeted. The EU had not immediately commented. It blames Russia for the failure to end the war and last week renewed sanctions on more than 3,000 individuals and entities. Russia criticises the EU for freezing about €210 billion of its sovereign assets.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Meduza's short news item puts the anonymous official's 'Let them be scared' quote first and presents the takeovers as pressure on the EU over sanctions.
Emphasis
The official's quotes and the dates and legal steps: Putin's 17 and 28 September orders, the companies named and L.E.V. Management as the appointed manager.
Leaves out or plays down
Leaves out the Kremlin's 'reversible' framing and Peskov's comments. Also leaves out Lavrov's remarks, the EU's position, the frozen assets, and the TASS, NSP and AEB figures.
Charged language
“Let them be scared”
For example
“Senior Russian government source says temporary takeovers of European companies’ assets are meant to pressure EU over sanctions.” — Meduza
“L.E.V. Management was put in charge of the assets.” — Meduza

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right1 outlet

Framing
The Straits Times runs the full Reuters report. It frames the story as a Moscow message to the EU, set against the war in Ukraine and sanctions, and adds context on the EU's position.
Emphasis
The Kremlin's 'reversible' line, Lavrov's remarks, the EU's renewed sanctions and frozen assets, the count of 135 affected firms, and the shrinking European business community in Russia.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not give Putin's decree dates or name Lemana PRO, FM Logistic or L.E.V. Management.
Charged language
“crackdown”“Let them be scared”
For example
“Russia has singled out European firms in its latest drive to strip foreign owners of the right to manage their Russian assets” — The Straits Times
“Peskov gave no evidence or details of how European countries were involved in military operations.” — The Straits Times