Google Faces €110M French Asset Freeze After Russian Court Ruling

Google Faces €110 Million French Asset Freeze After Russian Court Ruling Sparks Global Legal Tension

Google is facing a major international legal challenge after France temporarily froze approximately €110 million (US$129 million) of the company’s assets. This action was taken on 12 December 2025, following documents that revealed France acted in response to legally binding rulings issued by Russian arbitration courts regarding Google’s former operations in Russia.

The dispute originates from Google’s exit from the Russian market. After the company shut down its local subsidiary and entered liquidation, Russian courts accused Google of unlawfully transferring around 10 billion roubles in dividends in 2021, calling the transaction illegal. Russia later sought to enforce its rulings internationally, triggering legal actions beyond its borders.

Following Russia’s request, a French bailiff executed a temporary freeze on Google’s assets in France under the authority of a local court. Under French law, Google still holds full rights to challenge the freeze. However, if the appeals process fails or if French courts officially recognize the Russian ruling, these assets may eventually be subject to permanent seizure. Legal experts estimate that the recognition process could take up to 18 months.

This case does not stop in France. Reports indicate that Spain, Turkey, and South Africa may also see similar enforcement actions against Google. The development marks an escalation in Russia’s strategy to pressure Western companies by enforcing domestic legal decisions through foreign courts.

At the same time, tensions between Russia and Western nations are already heightened. The European Union continues to freeze Russian state and corporate assets, with ongoing discussions about redirecting those funds to support Ukraine. In this environment, Google’s case stands at the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and international commercial law.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet — with a massive US$3.8 trillion market valuation — may not face financial instability from this freeze, but the broader implications for multinational corporations are significant. The case signals a new era in which geopolitical conflicts can directly influence global companies’ financial operations, asset security, and cross-border legal exposure.

This development serves as a warning that large tech corporations are no longer shielded from international political tensions. Instead, they are becoming central players in the evolving landscape of global legal competition and state-level economic retaliation.