Russia Seizes Assets of Nestle, Auchan and Two Other Western Firms; Summons UK Envoy

According to Al Jazeera on Friday, September 18, 2026 (27 Shahrivar 1405), Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree late Thursday, September 17 (26 Shahrivar), transferring the Russian operations of four Western companies to a newly created entity called LEV Management, run by a general from Russia's Interior Ministry. The companies covered by the decree are Swiss food giant Nestle and three French firms: retailer Auchan, home improvement chain Lemana Pro (formerly Leroy Merlin), and logistics company FM Logistics.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that the companies' assets are for now under temporary administration and that no final decision on their fate has been made, citing Nestle and Auchan's status as firms from unfriendly countries as one reason for the move. Nestle said it is assessing the situation and its options. Separately, Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned British charge d'affaires Danae Dholakia over the UK's increased weapons shipments to Ukraine, calling London's support for Kyiv complicity in war crimes and terrorism in a statement. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that Russia's hybrid threat against France has intensified in recent weeks.