{
  "id": 17023225,
  "title": "Guest commentary: Metro's donation for Russia's war is no isolated incident",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/gastkommentar-metros-spende-fur-russlands-krieg-ist-kein-einzelfall",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-29T06:10:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/meinung/gastbeitraege/gastkommentar-metros-spende-fuer-russlands-krieg-ist-kein-einzelfall-02/100264817.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Metro calls it \"Holding Statement\". I call it an excuse. The Russian subsidiary of German trade conglomerate Metro, Metro Russia, has transferred one billion Rubles, approximately eleven million Euros, to the \"People's Front. Everything for Victory!\" fund. The fund is led by Putin. The money goes towards armored vehicles and air defense systems for the troops fighting in Ukraine. The German holding company Metro AG claims this was not coordinated, stating they lost control over the Russian subsidiary after Putin placed it under Russian management at the end of September. Really? The management company of Metro Russia, UK Torg Rus, was established on September 8, 20 days before the Russian forced management decree. According to Metro AG itself, sole owner is Johannes Tholey, former head of Metro Russia. French newspaper \"Le Monde\" reports Metro Russia reportedly asked the Kremlin for this \"temporary management\". Metro Russia told Russian business newspaper \"Wedomosti\" that the move ensures business processes. Nobody speaks of expropriation. Everyone speaks of a deal.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}