Russia targets European firms, largely spares US businesses as Putin-Trump ties warm
Russia is increasingly seizing assets of European companies while sparing US-owned businesses, signaling a shift in Moscow's economic strategy under the Trump administration. This move is viewed as retaliation against European support for Ukraine.
Why it matters
The disparity in treatment suggests a deliberate effort by the Kremlin to improve economic ties with the US while punishing European nations.
Russia is increasingly targeting European firms over their countries’ support for Ukraine, while largely sparing US businesses as Moscow seeks closer economic ties with Washington. A report suggested that only three of the 20 foreign-owned companies placed under Russian administration since US president Donald Trump took office in January 2025 were linked to the US.The remaining companies were controlled by European firms, highlighting the disparity in how Moscow has treated Western businesses amid the war in Ukraine and its efforts to improve economic ties with the Trump administration.A person close to Russian financial regulators told news agency Reuters that, with business negotiations under way with Washington, Moscow had little incentive to adopt the same hard line towards US firms as it had towards European businesses.The latest seizures include local units of Swiss food group Nestle and retailers Auchan and Metro.
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