Russia: Takeover of Italy’s Ariston business in response to ‘hostile actions’

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced over the weekend that he was summoning the Russian ambassador to demand an explanation of the order issued by Moscow late on Friday.

Ambassador Alexey Paramonov was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, after which the embassy issued a statement on Facebook, blaming Russia’s war in Ukraine on Western sanctions and explaining that Rome had only itself to blame.

“It was emphasized that these measures, taking into account the relevant legal framework, were taken in response to hostile and contrary actions taken by the United States of America and other foreign countries that have joined it,” the embassy said in a statement, which, among other measures, actions regarding the freezing of assets are mentioned.

The embassy noted that Russia has always attached “special importance to mutually beneficial” economic relations with Italy, which is historically one of the European countries with the warmest relations with Moscow.

However, she accused the Italian authorities of “sacrificing the real national interests of the (Italian) Republic to participate in fruitless and dangerous anti-Russian geopolitical adventures.”

This move by the Kremlin regarding Ariston was announced in a decree of the Russian government made public on Friday and already signed by President Vladimir Putin.

According to him, 100 percent of Ariston companies in Russia – Ariston Thermo Rus, which is owned by Ariston Holding NV, and BSH Household Appliances, which is owned by BSH Hausgerate GmbH. share control is transferred to Gazprom Household Systems, a subsidiary of Gazprom.

Ariston Group said in its statement that it has been operating in Russia for almost 20 years and maintains “very fair relations with local authorities.”

She said she was “extremely surprised” by the ordinance, which she said she was not informed about in advance.

Italy’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday that it had stressed to the Russian ambassador that Rome was “deeply disappointed by this unexpected measure and asked Ambassador Alexei Paramonov to explain its reasons, which have no legal basis.”

The ministry added that Russia had taken action “against a company that has historical roots in the country and has no connection with the current international crisis situation.”

Since coming to power in October 2022, Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni’s government has strongly supported Ukraine in its war with Russia, sending aid and weapons.

This year, Italy holds the rotating presidency of the G7 (G-7), which also includes the United States, France, Canada, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom.