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The Russian government’s recent move to temporarily nationalise Ariston Thermo Rus, a company that sells boilers, water heaters, and heat pumps under the umbrella of the Italian-owned Ariston group, has drawn criticism from the Italian government and the EU.
In an unexpected move, the Kremlin decided on 25 April to give the go-ahead for the temporary nationalisation of the company, which has had a plant in Russia for over 20 years. The decree, signed by President Vladimir Putin, involved not only the Ariston Group company, but also BSH Household Appliances, owned by Germany’s BSH Hausgerate GmbH.
The European Union strongly criticised Moscow’s decision in a press release issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS), pointing out that the measure signed by Putin was further proof of Russia’s disregard for international law.
Italy responded to Moscow’s move by summoning the Russian Ambassador to Rome, Alexey Paramonov, on Monday, where Italy’s Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia, spoke with the Russian diplomat.
“Ambassador Guariglia expressed the Italian government’s strong disappointment at this unexpected measure and asked Ambassador Alexey Paramonov for clarifications on its motives, which have no basis in law, all the more so considering that it was taken against a company that has historical roots in the country and has no connection with the current international crisis situation,” a press release from the Foreign Ministry states.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Italy also hopes that Russia would reconsider the measure taken, since it was qualified by the Russian side as temporary.
Russia defends its decision
In a statement circulated on social media by the Russian embassy in Italy after Paramonov’s summons, Russia confirmed the political reason for the decision.
“The Russian ambassador reminded the interlocutors that Moscow has always attached particular importance to the mutually beneficial trade and economic relations with Italy,” the note specified.
“All responsibility for the negative consequences of their destruction lies exclusively with the Italian authorities, who have sacrificed true national interests to participate in desperate and dangerous anti-Russian geopolitical adventures,” the note spread across social media reads.
According to the Russian embassy, “One cannot ignore the increasingly aggressive and irresponsible tone (and) rhetoric of Western leaders and their associations, which cannot be interpreted otherwise as an intention to create further threats to the national, economic, energy and other security of the Russian Federation.”
An unexpected move
Russia’s decision came without any prior information.
In a statement issued on 27 April, the Ariston group admitted that it had had no warning of Moscow’s intentions.
“We are extremely surprised,” the company said in a note. “We are analysing the possible consequences for governance and management.”
In a comment to the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, Ariston Group Chairman Paolo Merloni said the company is working with legal advisors and authorities to understand how to go about the situation.
The case is also being looked into by Enterprise and Made in Italy Minister Adolfo Urso.
On Monday, the minister held a conference call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; CEO Maurizio Brusadelli; and Francesco Acquaroli, president of Marche — the region where the Ariston group is based, according to a press release issued by the minister’s office.
As of April 2022, the group had decided to suspend investments, excluding those related to occupational safety, concerned about the great uncertainty in Russia.
After the invasion of Ukraine, several major Italian companies such as Autogrill, Enel, Eni, Iveco and Generali left Russia.
According to a Yale University study, which is updated every month, there are at least 25 Italian companies that have operations in Russia, even if they are downsized.
(Simone Cantarini| Euractiv.it)
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