Le Pen condemns Putin’s seizure of Nestlé and Auchan assets in Russia

Marine Le Pen, leader of the French party National Rally, sharply criticized Vladimir Putin after the Kremlin ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Nestlé, Auchan, and other European companies operating in Russia.

This occurred on September 19.

Speaking on RTL, Le Pen called Putin’s decree a “hostile act” that “directly undermines the interests and rights of French companies.” In a joint statement with party leader Jordan Bardella, she stressed that Russia would not be able to dictate French policy “directly or indirectly” through “intimidation, threats, destabilization, or psychological pressure.”

“No provocations, covert operations, or destabilizing actions will make France help Russia achieve its military objectives in Ukraine,” Le Pen said.

In her statement, Le Pen also expressed support for French President Emmanuel Macron’s order requiring the government to develop a plan to protect critical infrastructure from Russian hybrid attacks. For a long time she had maintained warmer relations with Moscow than most French politicians, and had previously opposed additional French financial aid to Ukraine.

The statement was prompted by a decree signed by Putin on the evening of September 17. According to reports by Reuters and Le Monde, the Russian assets of Nestlé, Auchan, the former Leroy Merlin chain (now known as Lemana Pro), and French logistics group FM Logistic were transferred to a little-known domestic company called LEV Management. The Kremlin described the move as a justified response to the actions of “unfriendly countries” supporting Ukraine. Sixteen enterprises linked to the targeted companies also fell under the measure, France 24 reports.

Nestlé said it “intends to take all necessary steps to protect its rights” and is “assessing the situation and available options.” According to an estimate by Moscow law firm NSP, published in 2025 and cited by Reuters, the Russian state has confiscated private property worth more than approximately €43.5 billion since the start of the war.

According to the Associated Press, the asset seizure was the latest step in a Moscow-led campaign of forced takeovers of Western companies, which had previously resulted in Western assets being sold to Russian owners at significantly reduced prices.