Russia's Asset Seizures Send Warning to Investors and the West

Russia has seized the assets of foreign firms in the country, including those of Finland's Fortum Oyj and its former German subsidiary Uniper, in a move that is seen as a warning shot to the West. The Kremlin has introduced "temporary" state control over the assets of companies or individuals from "unfriendly" states, including the US and its allies, which make or threaten to make similar moves. The decree is a signal of caution to the European Union, which is discussing whether frozen Russian assets should be used in the reconstruction of Ukraine.