# Russia seizure of Western corporate assets > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russia-seizure-of-western-corporate-assets > Updated: 2026-09-20T01:02:08.000Z. Sources: 64. Developments: 3. Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a decree to seize the local assets and operations of several Western corporations, including the Swiss food giant Nestlé, the French retailer Auchan, the home improvement retailer Lemana Pro, and the logistics firm FM Logistic. These assets are being transferred to a domestic entity known as LEV Management, which is reportedly led by former Ministry of Internal Affairs general Andrey Kraiushkin. LEV Management was established in late 2024 but remained inactive until late 2025. The Kremlin justified the seizure as a response to nations classified as ‘unfriendly’ due to their economic and military support for Ukraine. Nestlé, which employs approximately 7,000 people in Russia across six plants, stated it is evaluating legal options to protect its rights. In response, France has formally called for the revocation of the decree through its ministries of foreign affairs and economy. Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev criticized the European response, accusing nations of engaging in ‘direct warfare against Russia’ by providing military equipment while attempting to protect corporate profits. Adding to domestic political pressure in France, leaders of the National Rally, Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, issued a joint statement condemning the seizure of Auchan and Nestlé. They characterized Moscow’s decision to place European assets under temporary state management as a ‘hostile act’ intended to intimidate and destabilize the country. The leaders asserted that French foreign policy must be decided in Paris rather than Moscow, vowing that external pressure or psychological coercion would not force France to facilitate Russian military objectives in Ukraine. They further linked these actions to broader security concerns, including an increase in hybrid activities and a recent drone incident near Leipzig airport, which German authorities have linked to Moscow. ## Claims - Moscow placed several European companies, including the French retailer Auchan, under forced management in Russia. (disputed by 31 sources) - Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella stated they will not tolerate Russia attempting to dictate French policy through intimidation or destabilization. (corroborated by 35 sources) - Le Pen and Bardella stated that no provocation or destabilization should lead France to facilitate Russian goals in Ukraine. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Le Pen and Bardella asserted that French foreign policy will be decided in Paris, not Moscow. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The National Rally leaders noted an increase in hostile activities in Europe carried out by agents acting on behalf of Russia. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The German government holds Russia responsible for an attempted attack involving a drone found near a Ukrainian cargo plane in Leipzig. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella issued a joint letter distancing themselves from Russian interference in French politics. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The seizure of assets targets companies from countries Moscow considers unfriendly for supporting Ukraine. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-20: Russia seizes assets of Nestlé and French firms via Putin decree Russia has seized the assets of Nestlé, Auchan, and other Western firms via presidential decree, transferring them to a state-linked entity managed by a former Russian general. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-seizes-assets-of-nestl-and-french-firms-via-putin-decree ### 2026-09-19: National Rally leaders condemn Russian interference and asset seizures National Rally leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella condemned Russian hybrid threats and the seizure of European company assets, including Auchan and Nestlé, calling them hostile acts against Europe. 53 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rassemblement-national-faces-leadership-rift-and-climate-policy-disputes ### 2026-09-19: Dmitry Medvedev slams Europe over seizure of Western corporate assets Dmitry Medvedev criticized Europe after a Russian decree transferred assets of Nestlé, Auchan, and Lemana Pro to a Russian firm, prompting calls for review from France. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dmitry-medvedev-slams-europe-over-seizure-of-western-corporate-assets --- Cite as: Russia seizure of Western corporate assets. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russia-seizure-of-western-corporate-assets