The White House responded Thursday night to reports that Russia could be considering seizing the assets of U.S. companies, warning that the country risked even greater economic harm and isolation.
The Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that the government was considering a proposal to nationalize assets of companies that have said they are pulling out of Russia, according to The Associated Press.
"Any lawless decision by Russia to seize the assets of these companies will ultimately result in even more economic pain for Russia," White House press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted Thursday night.
"It will compound the clear message to the global business community that Russia is not a safe place to invest and do business," she wrote.
Starbucks, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are among the iconic U.S. companies that have announced plans to suspend some or all operations in Russia in protest of its attack on neighboring Ukraine.
The Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday that it was halting all business in Russia after it decided last week to pause the release of films.
The U.S., other countries and the European Union have also responded to the attack by imposing punishing sanctions aimed at Russia and President Vladimir Putin himself, NBC News reports.
Russian billionaire and CEO of Norilsk Nickel Vladimir Potanin has also critisized the above-mentioned initiative of Russian government, warning that confiscation of assets of Western companies will return Russia to 1917.
