Russia says taking control of Ariston unit is response to Western hostilities

Ariston Holding

29/04/2024 14:16

ROME, April 29 (Reuters) - The transfer of the Russian
subsidiary of Italian water heating firm Ariston  ARIS.MI  to
management by a Gazprom entity was a response to the "hostile
actions" of Western countries, the Russian Embassy in Italy said
in a Facebook post on Monday.
    The statement was released after the ambassador was summoned
to the Italian Foreign Ministry to explain the relocation of the
asset under the temporary management of JSC Gazprom Household
Systems, which was announced on Friday by the Kremlin.
    In the decree, Russian President Vladimir Putin also placed
the German appliance maker BSH Hausgeraete under the same
"temporary external management".
    These measures "were taken in response to hostile actions,
contrary to international law, by the United States and other
foreign states that have joined them, aimed at illegally
depriving Russia, its legal entities and various individuals of
the right to property" in those countries, the post says.
    The embassy added that it considered the "increasingly
aggressive rhetoric and tone" of Western countries as a
"deliberate intention to threaten the security of the Russian
Federation".
    The Italian foreign ministry called on Russia to reverse its
decision "which has no basis in law," and said Foreign Minister
Antonio Tajani may discuss "an appropriate response" with the G7
and Italy's EU partners.
    The European Union also criticised Russia on Saturday,
saying its actions against the Italian and German companies
underscored Moscow's disregard for international law.
    Russia has placed the assets of a handful of Western
companies under "temporary management" since the start of the
war in Ukraine, justifying such moves as retaliation for actions
by other countries against Russian businesses.

 (Reporting by Matteo Negri; editing by Gavin Jones and Jonathan
Oatis)
 ((Matteo.Negri@thomsonreuters.com;))