Russian prosecutors warn western companies of arrests, asset seizures – WSJ

“Russian prosecutors have issued warnings to Western companies in Russia, threatening to arrest corporate leaders there who criticize the government or to seize assets of companies that withdraw from the country,” said the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quoting an anonymous person familiar with the matter.

Additional quotes

Prosecutors delivered the warnings in the past week to companies including McDonald’s, IBM and KFC owner Yum Brands.

The calls and visits included threats to sue the companies and seize assets including trademarks.

The comments were joined by the news from Sputnik quoting Russian FM saying, “Moscow will not ask western sanctions to be lifted, pressure will not change its course.”

Also worrisome were comments from Pentagon's press secretary John Kirby, quoted by ABC News, suggesting Russian forces are "broadening their target sets" after rockets hit a Ukrainian military base near the Polish border overnight.

Market implications

Given the pessimism emanating from Ukraine-Russia tussles, the aforementioned news gains more acceptance and challenge the market’s mood during the week’s start. However, chatters surrounding the positive progress on the peace talks battle the bears of late.

Read: Russia and Ukraine give brightest assessment yet of progress in talks on war