Guest commentary: Metro's donation for Russia's war is not an isolated incident
There are Putin supporters in Germany who are financing Russia's war against Ukraine, criticizes Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev. However, this is a big risk for the companies.
Metro Global, a German trading company, has donated one billion Rubles, approximately eleven million Euros, to a Russian charity called "People's Front. All for Victory!" The funds are intended for armored vehicles and anti-tank defenses for Russia's troops fighting in Ukraine. Metro AG, the parent company of Metro, claims the donation was not approved and that they no longer have control over the Russian subsidiary, Metro Russland, following Putin's seizure of the company in late September.
However, Metro AG's own records show the management company for Metro Russland, UK Torg Rus, was established just eight days before the decree of Russian compulsory administration. Johannes Tholey, a long-time head of Metro Russland, is the sole owner. According to sources from the French newspaper "Le Monde," Metro Russland reportedly requested this "temporary administration" from the Kremlin.
Metro Russland told the Russian business magazine "Wedomosti" that the step is necessary to ensure business operations continue smoothly, and no one speaks of confiscation. Instead, discussions revolve around a deal.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
