https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/putin-seizes-five-european-firms-in-ongoing-hostile-asset-crackdownContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/putin-seizes-five-european-firms-in-ongoing-hostile-asset-crackdownhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/putin-seizes-five-european-firms-in-ongoing-hostile-asset-crackdown#u138878Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:56:19 +0000President Vladimir Putin signed a decree placing the Russian assets of five Western manufacturing firms under temporary external management. The seizures target companies from France, Germany, Sweden, and Belgium in retaliation for European support of Ukraine. One specific target, the French flooring company Tarkett, has had its assets transferred to a former regional official and Ukraine war veteran. The Kremlin describes these actions as a continuation of a trend as diplomatic ties between Russia and the EU reach a new low.Why it mattersRussia is using hostile asset crackdowns to penalize Eu