Russia’s recent decision to take control of Italian and German subsidiaries through Gazprom has sparked tensions with Western Europe. President Putin signed an Executive Order on Friday, placing Ariston Thermo Rus and BSH Household Appliances under the control of Gazprom’s Household Systems division. This move was backdated to Tuesday in response to unfriendly actions from the United States and other countries.
Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has asked the Kremlin for an explanation and clarification on the nationalization of the subsidiary. The European Union has also condemned the move, questioning its legality and urging Russia to reverse the decision. These actions by Russia are seen as a disregard for international law and rules by the EU.
Since the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has taken control of various Western assets as a form of retaliation against so-called unfriendly countries. This latest move with Italian and German subsidiaries is just one example of this trend. The EU is calling for Russia to respect international law and cease its attempts to exert control over foreign companies operating within its borders.