Le Monde: Metro asked Russia to put its Russian assets under temporary management
In short
German retailer Metro itself asked the Russian authorities to place its Russian assets under temporary management, Le Monde reported, citing a source, as carried by RBC, Kommersant and Vedomosti. The source said Metro acted “in the hope of keeping more control over its fate.” Companies tied to Metro were moved under the management of AO “UK Torg RUS” in late September.
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German retailer Metro itself asked the Russian authorities to place its Russian assets under temporary management, Le Monde reported, citing a source. RBC, Kommersant and Vedomosti all carried the report, attributing it to the French newspaper’s source rather than to Russian officials. According to that source, Metro took the initiative “in the hope of keeping more control over its fate.” [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The source described the move as “a risky step,” adding that “there is always the possibility of a peaceful settlement — a sale of the business on more favourable terms.” What remained unclear, the source said, was “what counter-steps the Kremlin will require.” Vedomosti separately reported, citing Le Monde, that Metro’s general director travelled to Russia to take part in talks with government representatives in order to agree more favourable terms. [ 2 , 3 ]
Companies tied to the Metro retailer were placed under the management of AO “UK Torg RUS,” according to the documents. Vedomosti said President Vladimir Putin transferred them by decree on 28 September; Kommersant said the Metro Cash & Carry assets passed under UK Torg RUS management at the end of September. Kommersant reported that the entity was created on 8 September by Johannes Tolai, Metro’s general director in Russia since 2023. Metro’s retail network said the temporary management decision was explained by “the need to ensure the safety of employees, infrastructure and continuity of business processes.” The Kremlin explained such transfers by the companies belonging to unfriendly countries, Vedomosti reported. [ 2 , 3 ]
The temporary management mechanism was allowed by a decree of 25 April 2023, Kommersant reported, with ensuring the preservation of assets named as the manager’s first task and a sale or continued state-held operation named as later options. On 17 September 2026, Vedomosti reported, Putin transferred the Russian assets of Nestlé, FM Logistic, “Leman Pro” and Auchan to AO “L.E.V. Management.” [ 2 , 3 ]
Kommersant noted that under temporary management Metro’s Russian business is run by local top management, which reduces risks tied to a change in decision-making, but that access to the brand, IT systems, international procurement and the group’s expertise remains critical for the unit. If those links are not preserved, the outlet said, the company may need additional spending on localising procurement and logistics, which could affect its product range and increase the investment required. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The report indicates that a foreign retailer chose to seek temporary state management rather than wait for it, a step the source described as risky but potentially opening the way to a sale on better terms. How the Kremlin responds would shape the terms on which other foreign-owned assets in Russia are handled.
Key facts
- Le Monde reported, citing a source, that Metro itself asked the Russian authorities to place its Russian assets under temporary management. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The source said Metro took the initiative “in the hope of keeping more control over its fate.” [ 2 , 3 ]
- Metro Cash & Carry assets went under the management of AO “UK Torg RUS,” according to Kommersant at the end of September and according to Vedomosti by a presidential decree on 28 September. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Kommersant said UK Torg RUS was created on 8 September by Johannes Tolai, Metro’s general director in Russia since 2023. [ 2 ]
- Metro’s retail network said the temporary management decision was driven by “the need to ensure the safety of employees, infrastructure and continuity of business processes.” [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reported that the Kremlin explained such transfers by the companies belonging to unfriendly countries. [ 3 ]
- The temporary management mechanism was allowed by a decree of 25 April 2023, with asset preservation named as the manager’s first task. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Le Monde, citing a source, reported that Metro itself asked the Russian authorities to place its Russian assets under temporary management — a report carried by RBC, Kommersant and Vedomosti. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Companies tied to the Metro retailer were placed under the management of AO “UK Torg RUS.” [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Metro’s request was granted, and what counter-steps the Kremlin would require. Kommersant quotes Le Monde’s source saying this remained unclear, and the documents cite no response from Russian officials.
- That Metro’s general director travelled to Russia to take part in talks with officials to agree more favourable terms. Reported only by Vedomosti on the basis of Le Monde; no other document in the set mentions the trip.
- The exact date the Metro-related assets moved under temporary management. Vedomosti cites a presidential decree of 28 September, while Kommersant says the assets passed under UK Torg RUS management at the end of September.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RBC reports Le Monde’s claim that Metro asked Russian authorities for temporary management. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant publishes the report with detail on UK Torg RUS, Metro’s stated reasons and the risks of temporary management. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports the request, the Kremlin’s explanation and the 28 September decree. [ 3 ]