Kremlin seizes control of German retailer Metro AG's Russian properties
Metro AG is one of the world’s largest retailers, specializing in food wholesale and food distribution to restaurants and hotels. Metro AG first entered the Russian market in 2001 and now operates 91 wholesale stores, employing around 9,000 employees in the country.
On September 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree placing the Russian subsidiary of German wholesale food retailer Metro AG under Kremlin control. The mandate transfers the temporary management of Metro AG’s Russian division to UK Torg RUS, a company established on September 8 and wholly owned by Metro Russia CEO Johannes Tolay.
Although Metro Russia’s ownership technically remains with Metro AG, the decree effectively eliminates the company's operational control. Metro AG, one of the world’s largest retailers specializing in food wholesale and distribution to restaurants and hotels, first entered the Russian market in 2001 and operated 91 wholesale stores with around 9,000 employees.
Since Russia’s war against Ukraine began in February 2022, Metro has taken measures to minimize connections between the Russian business and Metro AG. The decree’s impact on Metro AG is currently under analysis. Putin’s move follows heightened tension between Berlin and Moscow following an alleged failed Russian drone attack at Germany’s Leipzig airport in summer.
It also comes after a meeting between German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 26, where Germany called for Russia to cease its war and engage in negotiations. Since the war, Russia has seized the assets of Western companies like Nestle, Auchan, Bati Logistics, FM Logistics, and Le Monlid LLC, placing them under temporary Russian government management.
Russia has also damaged properties of international businesses operating in Ukraine through missile and drone attacks, including a PepsiCo facility in Mykolaiv Oblast and a Mondelez International factory in Sumy Oblast.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
