Paris calls on Moscow to 'reverse' its takeover of Nestle and Auchan assets

France on Friday urged Russia to "reverse" its decision to grab control of several French companies' subsidiaries, including Nestle and Auchan, which the Kremlin has justified as a blow against firms from "unfriendly" countries backing Ukraine.

"France condemns the placement of Russian subsidiaries of several French and European companies under provisional administration without justification," said a joint by France's foreign and economy ministries.

The French government is in contact with the affected companies "and calls on Russian authorities to reverse this decision," the statement said.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the first economic sanctions imposed by Western countries, many multinational companies have left Russia, while others have suspended their activities there, and their assets have been seized and transferred to Russian companies. However, some brands have remained in the country, prompting fierce criticism from Ukraine and beyond, on the grounds that they are thereby contributing to the financing of the Russian state and, consequently, its war effort.