Russia seized Germany’s retailer
Moscow (dpa) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has placed the Russian operations of German supermarket chain Metro AG under forced administration, according to a decree published by the Kremlin on Monday.
Russian management company Torg RUS will temporarily administer 100% of Metro’s assets in Russia, the decree states.
The German company, which operates membership-only supermarkets for businesses, is the latest to have its Russian operations placed under external administration, following food manufacturer Nestlé and French department store chain Auchan earlier this month.
In relation to earlier decisions, the Kremlin said the companies concerned were from so-called “unfriendly” countries whose governments were involved in the war in Ukraine through their support for Kiev.
Russia seized Germany’s retailer
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said military aid from these countries was being actively used by Kiev to strike civilian and economic infrastructure in Russia.
Ukraine has carried out drone attacks deep inside Russia as it defends itself against Moscow’s full-scale invasion, launched more than four and a half years ago. Recent attacks have damaged or destroyed logistics centres belonging to the major Russian online retailers Wildberries and Ozon.
Metro AG decided to remain in Russia after the start of the war in 2022, citing responsibility for its employees on the ground and customers who source their food from Metro Russia.
The company also noted that Metro Russia is significant to the group’s overall portfolio and said the decision had also been in its shareholders’ interests.
Russia had threatened countermeasures in response to Western sanctions, which included the seizure of state assets in the European Union.
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