The nationalized Russian subsidiary of German wholesale giant Metro announced Friday that it donated 1 billion rubles ($12.4 million) to a pro-war charitable foundation linked to the Kremlin.
The funds were sent to a foundation called “People’s Front. Everything for Victory!” — which is managed by President Vladimir Putin’s political coalition, the All-Russia People’s Front (ONF).
“As part of Russia’s economic system, we consider it important to participate in the state’s strategic initiatives,” Metro Russia CEO Johannes Tholey said.
Metro’s donation will be used to buy tactical gear, off-road vehicles, communications equipment, intelligence hardware and anti-drone systems for Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, according to senior ONF executive Sergei Gorbunov.
Metro AG, the parent company of Metro Russia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The move comes after Putin signed an executive order on Sept. 28 placing Metro Russia under “temporary management” of the state. Tholey is the CEO of the state-appointed entity that now manages Metro Russia, Torg Rus.
Metro’s takeover comes alongside similar seizures of major Western companies in recent weeks, including retail chain Auchan, food giant Nestlé and logistics operator FM Logistic.
Putin has defended the moves as a symmetrical response to Western sanctions and the freezing of Russian state assets there. He said control of the companies could be returned under favorable conditions.
Earlier in October, The Bell reported that the Russian government expects businesses to pay $5.7 billion in voluntary contributions to plug a widening budget deficit amid record war spending.
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