Vladimir Putin has decided to place the local assets of the German retailer Metro under temporary administration, according to a presidential decree published on Monday, due to escalating tensions between Moscow and Berlin over the conflict in Ukraine. The placement of Metro’s assets under temporary administration comes after several Nestle factories and Auchat stores suffered the same fate. The decree did not provide a reason for the transfer of control, but it came after a rare meeting between the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, and his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, writes Reuters.
Lavrov complained that he “learned nothing new” from Wadephul, whose country is a supporter of Ukraine. Germany announced, earlier this month, that it had concluded that Russia is responsible for the attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle airport and ordered a series of measures in response, including the closure of a consulate and a Russian cultural center in Berlin.
Moscow denied the accusations, which it said were fabricated.
In a statement on Monday, the Russian branch of Metro did not directly comment on the decree, but stated that it is operating normally and fulfilling all its obligations to buyers.
On September 18, the Kremlin announced the takeover of Russian assets of the Swiss food industry giant Nestlé and the French retailer Auchan, stating that the hostile actions of some “unfriendly” countries played a role in this decision.
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