Since Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine on February 24, some Western countries, led by the United States and the European Union, have launched large-scale sanctions against Russia. As Russia's military operations continue, western sanctions against Russia are also constantly "increasing." On the 8th local time, US President Biden announced a ban on the import of Russian energy, launching the strictest sanctions in the history of the United States.
At the same time, dozens of multinational enterprises operating in Russia have set off a wave of "withdrawal from Russia". On March 8, local time, four American catering companies such as Starbucks, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo also joined the team and suspended their business in Russia.
On the other hand, for several days, Russia has been busy "pulling the list" and fighting back against the sanctions of Western countries. According to Xinhua News Agency, Russia warned the West on the 9th that russia is beginning to formulate extensive countermeasures against Western sanctions, which will be introduced soon, and some of the most sensitive areas of the West will be affected by these measures.
According to CCTV news reports, Medvedev, vice chairman of the Russian Federal Security Council, said on the 10th when talking about the large-scale withdrawal of foreign companies that the government is studying countermeasures, including measures such as bankruptcy and nationalization of the assets of evacuated foreign companies.
↑ Infographic. The "anti-sanctions blacklist" currently includes 59 companies such as Apple, IKEA, Microsoft, and Volkswagen.
According to Russian media reports, the Russian government may be considering nationalizing the assets of nearly 60 companies that have imposed sanctions on Russia, such as McDonald's, IKEA, Apple, Volkswagen, Microsoft, and Toyota.
Russia lists "anti-sanctions blacklist"
Apple, IKEA, Microsoft, and Volkswagen's assets in Russia may be nationalized
According to Russian media reports on the 10th, Pavlov, head of Russia's "Social Consumption Initiative" organization, said that Russia has listed an "anti-sanctions blacklist", and foreign companies and their responsible persons on the list will face risks such as account freezing. However, the freezing of accounts is only the first step, and according to the latest measures of the Russian government, the assets of these foreign companies in Russia may be "nationalized".
↑ Screenshot of russian media report on the anti-sanctions blacklist.
Pavlov revealed today that the Russian government and the Attorney General's Office have issued a list of 59 companies that may be nationalized as a result of terminating operations in Russia. "There are currently 59 companies on the list, but it will be expanded in line with new moves by foreign companies. Companies that have appeared in the document include: Volkswagen, Apple, IKEA, Microsoft, IBM, Shell, McDonald's, Porsche, Toyota, H&M and others. ”
Pavlov explained that being on the "anti-sanctions blacklist" means that the offending enterprises and their management will face the risk of "accounts and assets being seized, introducing external management, and nationalizing property". In addition, the management of these businesses may be criminally liable for intentional bankruptcy and mass fraud.
↑ Infographic. Microsoft Company Building in Moscow, Russia. Microsoft announced on March 4 that it would suspend sales of new products and services in Russia.
He said the list would be made public and would be added to the list once a company announced its withdrawal from Russia "without providing a guarantee to Russian consumers" and that "the relevant agencies will take administrative, criminal and judicial proceedings against them." According to him, all the debts of these enterprises total more than 6 trillion rubles, which is equivalent to their income in Russia for the past three years.
The Russian government committee has paved the way for nationalization:
Deadline for 5 days to resume, otherwise included in the "external management procedure"
And this "nationalization" process may have officially begun. According to Russian media reports, Russia's ruling party "United Russia" party said on the 9th that a government committee has approved the second set of economic support measures, including the mechanism of nationalizing the assets of foreign enterprises.
In a statement posted on social media, the United Russia party said the Legislative Activities Committee supported a bill that would allow companies with more than 25 percent of the shares held by foreigners from "unfriendly countries and regions" to be "managed externally" to "prevent business bankruptcies and save jobs."
At present, the "sanctions" of "withdrawing from Russia" multinational enterprises on Russia are different, the United States automaker Ford and others have temporarily closed their production plants in Russia, while the British energy company BP has promised to withdraw from the Russian market, and some beauty and clothing brands have closed all operating stores.
According to the Currently Proposed Bill, businesses that declare that they are leaving Russia can refuse to enter the "external management process" if they resume production activities or sell their shares "voluntarily" within 5 days, provided that the company's business and employees remain in Russia. Otherwise, the court will appoint a temporary governing body for a period of 3 months.
After this, the shares of the new institution will be auctioned and the old institution will be liquidated. Buyers of the new establishment must commit to retaining at least two-thirds of the staff and continuing the operations of the old establishment for at least one year.
But at the same time, Russian media said that the Russian State Duma "cannot answer the corresponding questions, that is, whether a special bill will be enacted on this issue and when it will be introduced."
Red Star News reporter Xu Huan
Edited by Zhang Xun
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