Key facts
- Western companies may recover Russian assets if a favorable scenario unfolds, according to Vladimir Putin.
- Russia has placed some European companies under temporary external administration.
- Putin described Russia's actions as a response to the West's seizure of Russian assets.
- Putin cited Germany's seizure of Russian enterprises as a breach of rules.
Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated on Thursday that Western companies might be able to reclaim their Russian assets if a "favorable scenario" comes to pass. Speaking at the Valdai Forum, Putin referred to the Russian state's decision to place several European companies under what Moscow terms temporary external administration.
Putin characterized Russia's move as a reciprocal action to the West's seizure of Russian assets. "We have not nationalised anything from anyone. Yes, we are placing certain enterprises under external administration. But in some European countries, they have simply, in a blatant breach of every conceivable and inconceivable rule, seized huge enterprises from us – for example, in the Federal Republic of Germany," Putin stated.
When asked if European companies could have their assets returned under a favorable scenario, Putin responded affirmatively.