Trump urged to intervene as Russian authorities seize American soup empire

In Russia, the American entrepreneur Leonid Smirnov has found himself facing a significant crisis after the Russian government seized control of his $200 million canned-food business, Glavprodukt, in October 2024. Smirnov, who fled the Soviet Union in the 1970s and established his company known for its canned soups and other products, is appealing to former President Donald Trump for assistance in rescuing his enterprise from the grasp of Putin's regime. He expressed deep concerns that this event signals a broader trend of foreign businesses being targeted in Russia, particularly in light of increased tensions following the invasion of Ukraine. Several reports indicate that Smirnov's company was the first American business to be subjected to such a governmental takeover, which he describes as a 'raid under a government seizure and confiscation attempt.' The government shuffle occurred as three unfamiliar individuals appeared at Glavprodukt's headquarters, acting under orders from President Vladimir Putin to place the business under 'temporary' management. This takeover is symbolic of a worrying climate for foreign investments in Russia, as numerous other businesses have also fallen victim to Russian governmental control since the onset of the ongoing conflict. Smirnov articulated his fears that his business could be permanently lost before any diplomatic resolution to U.S.-Russia relations is achieved. He noted that allegations against him by the Russian prosecutor's office claim he illegally siphoned funds to the United States while colluding with U.S. officials to weaken Russia strategically. Efforts by the Russian government to seize Smirnov's assets have resulted in a court order for the seizure of cash and assets associated with Glavprodukt, aiming to force him into a disadvantageous sale of his company. In light of these developments, Smirnov's case has drawn attention, with U.S. officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledging the situation during their discussions on the implications for American enterprises operating in Russia. The notion is that diplomatic engagement may happen once the U.S. embassy in Moscow becomes fully operational again. However, the mounting tension and unresolved conflicts leave Smirnov anxiously awaiting help as he fights to retain ownership of his business amidst escalated governmental intervention against American companies in Russia.