Italy summons the Russian ambassador after Moscow seized a branch of the Ariston Group

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Italy summoned the Russian ambassador on Saturday after Moscow announced that it had placed the subsidiary of the Ariston Thermo Group under the control of the giant Russian public energy company, Gazprom, as announced by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani.

Tayani wrote on X, “The government is demanding clarification regarding the nationalization of Ariston Thermo Group,” which specializes in heating equipment and hot water production.

He added, “We’re also working with Brussels in coordination with Germany, after the Busch group was also targeted.

In another message, Taiani said he had spoken with Ariston officials and that Rome stands by the companies, and is ready to protect them in all international markets.

The seizure was formalized by a Russian decree published on Friday, although dated Thursday, and signed by President Vladimir Putin.

The text requires the transfer of control of 100% of Ariston’s shares in Russian companies – Ariston Thermo Rus owned by Ariston Holding NV and BSH Home Appliances owned by Ariston Holding NV.

The German BSH Hausgerate GmbH – to Gazprom Home Systems, a subsidiary of the giant state group Gazprom.

In response to an inquiry by Agence France-Presse in this regard, PSH Housegerati indicated that it is in contact with the administrative body that was appointed, i.e. Gazprom for Home Systems.

The German company explained that it’s unable to make further comments at this time.

The group indicated that it no longer exports household appliances and spare parts to Russia.

It said in a statement that its two factories located in St. Petersburg, which produced refrigerators and washing machines, have been closed since March 2022.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has seized control of the branches of a number of Western companies, including Danone and the Danish beer maker Carlsberg, and placed them under what it describes as temporary control.

These measures were presented as a response to Western sanctions imposed on Russian companies.

For their part, Western officials and some of these companies condemned Moscow’s nationalization of private property.

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