France reacted to the appointment of external administrators to manage certain French and European company subsidiaries in Russia.

In a statement, France’s Foreign Ministry called on Russian authorities to reverse the decision. The statement also said that French authorities remained in close contact with the companies concerned.

Russia had appointed external administrators to manage the Russian assets of Swiss-based food company Nestlé and French supermarket chain Auchan.
Under a decree signed this week by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the companies’ assets in Russia will temporarily be placed under the management of a state-controlled local company.