The European Union criticized Russia on Saturday for placing subsidiaries of an Italian company and a German company under “temporary external management” of a Gazprom entity, saying the move underscored Moscow’s disregard for international norms.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has placed the Russian subsidiaries of the Italian water heating equipment company Ariston and the German appliance manufacturer BSH Hausgeraete under the management of JSC Gazprom Household Systems, according to a decree published on Friday, reports Reuters, taken by News.ro.
“These measures, which target legitimate economic activities, are yet another proof of Russia’s disregard for international law and rules,” a spokesperson for the EU’s diplomatic service said in a statement.
He said the measures confirmed that Russia, which is waging war against Ukraine, has been “an unpredictable actor in the economic field as well and has created a business climate that is arbitrary and hostile to foreign investors.”
“The European Union requests Russia to reverse these measures and to seek acceptable solutions with the European companies targeted by them,” the statement reads.
Ariston declared on Saturday that it was “extremely surprised” by this move and that it is evaluating the implications of the decree from the point of view of governance and management.
Publisher: MI
Tags: Putin breaks international rules criticizes Moscow control Italian German companies
