Putin seizes Nestlé and French assets in sanctions retaliation

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday allowing authorities to seize the remaining assets of Swiss food giant Nestlé and three French companies in Russia. The move is the latest response to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. The French firms affected are grocery chain Auchan, DIY retailer Leroy Merlin, and another unnamed company. The decree places their Russian operations under temporary state control. Russia has repeatedly taken similar steps against foreign businesses since the war in Ukraine began, targeting companies from countries it calls "unfriendly."