Putin said that "difficult conditions" for foreign companies in Russia after a series of Russian nationals seek to create "preferential conditions" for European companies that remained in the country after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Pavel Zerbin. According to him, "Russia has many friends in Europe", but many of them "obligate" to paralyze local businesses. When some companies remained under pressure from Western European governments, our friends from these countries almost cried out. Some of them, by the way, are working and we are trying to create favorable conditions for them, Putin said. He also criticized the Western sanctions. Banning everything coming from Russia is stupid. The statement came after Putin in September ordered the temporary administration of the Russian assets of Switzerland's Nesta, US packaging maker Aptar, Germany's Metro Hypermarkets chain, French retailer Auchan, logistics company FM Logistic and Leman Pro, Lee Marilyn's former business. The Kremlin explained that the traded companies represent "unfriendly" countries that "are currently actively involved in military operations" against Russia, including "attacks" on "economic infrastructure." In mid-October, Russian assets of the French flooring manufacturer Tacket, one of the world leaders in the industry, were seized. Follow @moscowtimes ru buy a trusted VPN.