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haven.” A dramatic decline in growth rates of the national economy should be prevented," he said.
Putin asserted that Russia had adapted to sanctions, which earlier this month he argued were actually a boon for the Russian economy as they have stimu- lated investment and innovation. The exit of multinationals handed entire business niches over to Russian entre- preneurs, fully formed for kopecks on the dollar, in one of the biggest asset transfer events in Russia's history.
"The Russian business skilfully used the exit of Western companies and took the niches earlier held by them," he said. While some foreign firms wished to return, Russian companies would be given priority. Those that had contin- ued operating in Russia under different
brands would be "treated with respect."
The Kremlin has tasked the Cabinet with establishing a framework for Western firms wishing to re-enter the Russian market, ensuring fair com- mercial conditions that will be judged on a case-by-case basis. However, Putin made clear that returning companies would not receive financial advantages.
"The Western businesses will not be able to repurchase their Russian opera- tions for modest amounts of money. That train has left for Western com- panies, whose niches were occupied. There will be no privileges and prefer- ences for the ones returning," he said.
Discussing global trade, Putin claimed that "it will not be as it has been before," and warned against reliance on Western
legal frameworks for investment protec- tion. "Only fully sovereign countries
are capable of dynamic and progressive growth in the interests of their people. The majority of European countries
lost their sovereignty and faced serious problems in the economy and the secu- rity sphere as a result," he said.
Meanwhile, Russian business repre- sentatives held talks with Robert Agee, President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, regard- ing the potential easing of sanctions in specific sectors. Trump’s special envoy, Richard Grenell, also met officials in Switzerland to discuss possible Russian gas exports to Germany via Nord Stream 2. Additionally, Moscow and Washington are exploring economic cooperation in the Arctic, including natural resource development and trade routes.
Lithuania links Russian intelligence to arson
attacks in Vilnius and Warsaw
bne IntelliNews
Lithuanian prosecutors have accused Russian military intelligence of orchestrating an arson attack on an IKEA store in Vilnius in May, the Prosecu- tor General's Office said on 17 March.
The incident is being treated as an act of terrorism, with the case now proceeding to court. According to Arturas Urbelis
of the Prosecutor General's Office, two Ukrainian nationals, both under 20 years old, carried out the arson. One was a minor at the time of the offence, and one suspect is currently in Polish custody.
The investigation found that the suspects met in Warsaw and agreed to target shopping centres in Lithuania and Latvia in exchange for €10,000 and a BMW.
Authorities believe the attacks were intended to instil fear and pressure the European Union and other countries to reduce support for Ukraine amid Rus- sia’s invasion.
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Lithuanian officials also linked Russian intelligence to a fire in May at Warsaw’s Marywilska 44 market hall, which contained about 1,400 service points rented by more than 700 people.
"Lithuanian prosecutors have declared that Russian special services are behind the arsons in Vilnius and Warsaw. As per our suspicions," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on social media.
Tusk also said Russia’s recruitment of Ukrainian nationals to carry out the attacks was "exceptional perfidy."
Earlier this year, a court in Wrocław, Poland, sentenced Ukrainian citizen Serhii S. to eight years in prison for planning sabotage in Poland on behalf of Russian intelligence. In January 2024, he accepted a commission to set fire to multiple locations in Wrocław.
Polish investigators say they have
evidence of several groups operating in Poland that have been, and are, plan- ning acts of sabotage in the country. Some members of these groups have been arrested and face charges in around 30 investigations countrywide.
Recently, Poland's prosecutors charged a Belarusian national with setting fire to a DIY supermarket in Warsaw.
Lithuanian prosecutors accused Russian military intelligence of an arson attack on an IKEA store in Vilnius in May / bne IntelliNews