MOSCOW, October 16. /TASS/. The introduction of external management for a number of companies from unfriendly countries that has taken place, can be described as a continuation of an existing trend, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a briefing.

"This is a continuation of a trend. All those companies are from unfriendly countries, and their origin was one of the factors taken into account when the decision was made," he said.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree placing the Russian assets of flooring manufacturer Tarkett, as well as those of Ontex, the owner of the Helen Harper diaper brand, and three foreign packaging companies, under external management.