Full Breakdown
Russia Protests UK Arms Support and Seizes Assets of Western Firms
By Drooid · · How we work
Diplomatic Protest and Asset Seizures
On September 18, 2026, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Britain’s chargé d’affaires, Danae Dholakia, to protest what Moscow described as London’s “further increase” in weapons supplies to Ukraine.
In the same timeframe, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree transferring the Russian operations of several Western companies to a new entity, LEV Management, overseen by a Russian Ministry of Interior general. The firms placed under temporary administration include:
- Nestlé – Swiss food giant
- Auchan – French retailer
- Lemana Pro (formerly Leroy Merlin) – French DIY chain
- FM Logistics – French logistics company
Background and Recent Developments
Russia’s diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom remain strained; the Russian ambassador to London departed in July, and Moscow has no ambassador in London. The summons follows heightened Western military aid to Kyiv and coincides with the inaugural Carpathian Eight summit in western Ukraine, attended by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Poland announced its entry into an anti-ballistic-missile coalition with Ukraine at the summit, pledging a “significant” donation package. The coalition aims to develop a cheaper alternative to the U.S. Patriot system, reflecting broader European efforts to bolster Ukraine’s air defence.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Russian ministry’s protest statement framed the UK’s arms deliveries as support for “terrorism and war crimes.”
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the asset seizures target companies from “unfriendly” countries and that the assets are under “temporary administration” with no final decisions made.
Verbatim Quotes
- “From today, Poland is part of this major project... we agreed on the forms and frameworks of this cooperation,” — Donald Tusk, polish prime minister
- “I will be very consistent here. No one will change my opinion that Poland has to support Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression... History cannot divide us vis-à-vis Russia today,” — Donald Tusk, polish prime minister
These statements illustrate the expanding diplomatic and economic pressure Russia is applying to nations that continue to support Ukraine, while European allies convene to coordinate further military assistance.