Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev has pulled the pin, and via an intervention on his personal Telegram channel, responds to «Western Russophobic outrages» and the «sanctions from hell» imposed by Donald Trump against Russia.
Medvedev's proposal for military deterrence and total seizure of Western assets in Russia
Dmitry Medvedev argued that Moscow must answer Western policy using the language of military power.
According to Dmitry Medvedev, on the other side of the Atlantic «they only understand the language of direct military deterrence, with which we must respond to the Russophobic outrages».
Furthermore, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council proclaimed that Russia must not confine itself to the status of temporary administration of Western assets, but is obligated to proceed with their mandatory and uncompensated seizure into state ownership.
According to him, European states are waging a direct war against Russia, arming and supplying the enemy by every available means.
Concurrently, he noted that the imposition of temporary administration over Western corporations operating across Russian territory has already triggered waves of panic in the West.
Invoking the Soviet past
Dmitry Medvedev invoked the initial decrees of Soviet power, under which foreign factories and industrial plants were forcibly expropriated without any compensation in favor of the state, underscoring pointedly that no foreign proprietor ever received anything back.
On January 13, President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a decree transferring the Russian assets of two major Western conglomerates under temporary administration, targeting Danish Rockwool and Polish-American Canpack.
What «military deterrence» means
Clarifications regarding the statements of Dmitry Medvedev were provided by State Duma deputy Andrei Kolesnik, emphasizing that the reference to military deterrence does not constitute an advance notice of an attack against the US.
As he explained, this concept concerns the further reinforcement of Russia's defense capabilities and the outfitting of troops stationed on its territory, though he added that «God only knows what lurks behind the "sanctions from hell" of Washington».
What preceded
The forceful intervention by Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev demanding the total seizure of Western businesses delivers the coup de grâce to the hypocritical posture of Western governments.
His statement came as an immediate response to hysterical Western reactions following the decisive decree signed on September 17, 2026, by President Vladimir Putin.
Through this lawful move, Moscow placed under temporary state control and administration (via L.E.V. Management) the Russian assets of European conglomerates Nestlé, Auchan, FM Logistic, Bati Logistics, and Le Monlid.
Same coin...
Dmitry Medvedev lambasted the fact that foreign governments became alarmed the moment their business interests and their so-called «sacred cows» (such as Nestlé and Auchan) were affected.
At the same time, these very governments continue imposing unlawful sanctions against the Russian economy and fueling the regime in Kyiv with armaments and funds.
For his part, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made clear that Russia is simply responding in kind to the actions of «unfriendly» states backing strikes against Russian infrastructure, while clarifying that, for the time being, all legal procedures governing temporary administration are being observed.
Moscow's resolve now places under Russian control a massive corporate empire, the aggregate value of which is estimated by the newspaper Kommersant at 600 billion rubles:
Auchan: A vast network of 230 retail stores across 100 cities, with revenue of 127 billion rubles in the first half of 2026, continuing to operate smoothly.
Lemana PRO (formerly Leroy Merlin): The market leader in DIY retail with 112 stores, a 27.2% market share, and annual turnover of 550 billion rubles in 2025.
Nestlé: An industrial powerhouse with six cutting-edge production facilities in Russia, 7,000 employees, and household brand names (Nescafé, Maggi, NAN, Purina).
FM Logistic: Operating 25 strategic logistics platforms and recording revenues exceeding 30 billion rubles in 2024.
L.E.V. Management assumed responsibility for ensuring business continuity
The company, under new executive leadership by Andrey Krayushkin (since September 10, 2026), was selected by Russian authorities as the entity best suited to fulfill stringent management criteria. As Dmitry Peskov underscored, Russia's primary objective is the protection of domestic infrastructure, the preservation of supply chains, and the safeguarding of thousands of jobs held by Russian citizens against the arbitrariness of foreign owners.
While Nestlé and other conglomerates attempt to maintain their footing, Russia proves that it commands the mechanisms (enacted as early as 2023 and tested successfully in cases such as Danone and Carlsberg) to shield its national economy.
This development confirms that in the face of economic blackmail and Western sanctions, Russia responds with resolve, seizing full operational control of its strategic infrastructure assets.
The «sanctions from hell» of the US
It is recalled that Moscow reacted sharply to the signing of the new American legislation imposing «sanctions from hell» on Russia.
The press secretary for the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, clarified that this specific US legislation «undoubtedly can have no positive effect» on relations between the two countries.
The bill was authored by US Senator Lindsey Graham, who during his visit to Kyiv on July 10 had announced the new measures before passing away the day following his return to the US.
US President Donald Trump ultimately signed the statutory text, which enacts new tariffs, bans, and sanctions expansions, while concurrently extending sanctions legislation against Iran.
The new law mandates that the President of the US implement travel restrictions (visas) and freeze the assets of designated individuals and corporate entities.
Targeted under these restrictions are the leader of the Russian Federation himself, as well as a series of Russian military commanders.
Furthermore, the law stipulates:
- 100% tariffs: An increase in import tariffs to 100% of the value of all goods imported into the US from the five largest importers of Russian petroleum or natural gas, provided they knowingly expand their purchases after the law takes effect.
- Energy embargo: A prohibition on American corporations exporting, re-exporting, or transferring energy products of American origin to Russia.
- Financial restrictions: A ban on American entities making new investments in the Russian economy, purchasing Russian sovereign debt, or trading securities of Russian state enterprises on American exchanges.
Sanctions exemptions - The example of Japan
Despite the severity of the measures, certain nations may avoid American tariffs on energy imports from Russia.
According to Japanese news outlet 47NEWS, Japan (whose imports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, from Russia cover approximately 10% of its total domestic demand) is expected to receive an exemption.
The American statute contains a specific waiver provision for states importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia or taking demonstrable steps to curtail their procurement.
Apart from Japan, the largest importers of Russian liquefied natural gas include China, France, Hungary, and Belgium.
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