Russia temporarily took control of Finnish energy giant Fortum and its former German subsidiary Uniper, raising uncertainties over the status of other Western corporations in Russia as pressure rises to censure Moscow over Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin signed an order late Tuesday to temporarily manage the Russian assets of the two European state-owned energy giants. Fortum (FORTUM.HE) stated it was “investigating,” and Uniper (UN01.DE) and the German finance minister did not respond.

According to the directive, Moscow has previously seized Uniper’s (UN01.DE) Russian division Unipro (UPRO.MM) and Fortum’s assets. However, Russia said the measure might be overturned.

Moscow is furious that the Group of Seven is proposing a near-total embargo on exports to Russia. At the same time, several have advocated for harsher penalties to hamper Russia’s capacity to fight in Ukraine. In addition, the EU may use frozen Russian assets to reconstruct Ukraine.

Uniper controls 83.73% of Unipro, which manages five Russian power facilities with over 11 gigawatts of capacity and 4,300 personnel.

Finland, which joined NATO last month, majority-owns Fortum. Moscow called Finland’s error serious.

The Finnish foreign ministry declined to comment on Russia’s decision’s impact on relations.

“Fortum’s current understanding is that the new decree does not affect the title (registered ownership) of assets and companies in Russia,” the firm said.

“However, it remains unclear how this affects e.g. Fortum’s Russian operations or the ongoing divestment process,” it said.

Fortum’s Russia branch operates seven thermal power facilities in the Ural area and Western Siberia, as well as wind and solar projects with local venture partners. In 2022, such assets were worth 1.7 billion euros ($1.87 billion).

Both corporations want to leave Russia. Uniper valued its Unipro holding at 1 euro in February to reflect the possibility of no settlement.

The directive stated Russia needs to respond urgently to “unfriendly and contrary to international law” activities by the US and others. Rosimushchestvo, the federal property agency, temporarily controlled the two entities’ interests.

This week, state-owned Russian bank VTB (VTBR.MM) suggested that Russia take over and manage Fortum’s assets, returning them when sanctions are repealed. Fortum warned of expropriation.

Rosimushchestvo warned Russia might temporarily control more international corporations’ assets.

The decision does not affect ownership or assets. “External management is temporary, and the original owner no longer has management rights,” the agency added.

Investors from “unfriendly” nations, as Moscow, calls those that imposed sanctions against Russia, must have government commission and president clearance before selling assets.