Putin says Western companies' assets seized by Russia could be returned

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Russian assets of Western companies that Moscow had seized were frozen and could potentially be returned. Putin last month ordered the seizure of businesses and assets of Swiss food giant Nestle, French retailer Auchan, the former Leroy Merlin DIY chain and German wholesaler and food retailer Metro.

He cited the seizure of the assets of Russia's oil giants Gazprom, Rosneft and Lukoil.