Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order placing the Russian operations of German retailer Metro AG under temporary state management.
Under the decree, ownership of Metro Russia’s shares has been transferred to Torg Rus, a management company registered earlier this month, according to corporate records. Johannes Tholey, the current chief executive of Metro Russia, is also listed as Torg Rus’ CEO.
Metro Russia said in a statement that its business activities were continuing normally. However, the company did not directly address the implications of Putin’s order.
Metro, one of the world’s largest retail groups, is the latest Western company to face state intervention in Russia. Putin authorized such measures in 2023, allowing Moscow to place assets belonging to companies from countries it considers “unfriendly” under temporary administration.
Earlier this month, Russian authorities also assumed control of the local subsidiaries of French supermarket group Auchan, Swiss food company Nestlé, home improvement retailer Lemana PRO, formerly Leroy Merlin, and two French logistics firms.
The Kremlin has defended these actions as responses to what it describes as “hostile actions” by Western governments against Russia.
The takeover of Metro Russia comes amid renewed but strained diplomatic contact between Moscow and Berlin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently met Germany’s foreign minister on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It was their first meeting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Lavrov later said the talks had not produced any new information. Meanwhile, Germany recently accused Moscow of involvement in an attempted drone attack targeting Leipzig/Halle Airport. Berlin responded by closing a Russian consulate and cultural center, while Moscow rejected the allegations as fabricated.
For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe/follow the TTI YouTube Channel, Instagram, and Facebook
