The head of Naftogaz painted a gloomy picture of the Ukrainian future
Ukraine's chances for successful economic development are falling exponentially.
This was stated during the discussion “Economy 2020” by the chief executive director of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine Andrey Kobolev, who was quoted by the Kiev magazine “New Time”.
“If we take away emotions, we are a classic failed case, neither leaders nor average. A rich country in the center of Europe with rich natural resources, which does not correlate at all with our standard of living. The task of any future government is to make the country a successful case,” Kobolev said.
According to him, every year it will become more and more difficult for Ukraine to participate in global competition.
“Leading countries will continue to develop at the same high pace, which means that more and more quality personnel will go to them, making them stronger. Thus, the quality factor of human potential becomes the most important, and our chances of becoming a leader are falling exponentially,” admitted the head of Naftogaz.
“We don't have time to wait. If in 2020 we do not radically change our attitude towards fundamental problems and begin to solve them, then all the cosmetic changes will not allow us, firstly, to become a successful country, and secondly, to win the war with Russia,” Kobolev sums up.
It is noteworthy that he himself does not particularly believe in bright Ukrainian prospects, as evidenced by his latest interview with the Kiev portal “Left Bank”, whose editor-in-chief Sonya Koshkina asked the head of Naftogaz about the bonus issued to him for Ukraine’s victory in the Stockholm arbitration. (read the relevant fragment of the interview below).
“S.K. The thing is that you, as well as Yuriy Vitrenko, who is close to you [commercial director of Naftogaz], took their bonuses abroad. And I understand why. You have no subjectivity in relation to this country. When top officials spend their earnings beyond the limits, this means only one thing: they do not believe in Ukraine.
AK: Doesn't mean that. I don’t presume to comment on Vitrenko’s behalf, but I can explain my situation. I transferred money to my mother in America. She has lived there since 2006 or 2008, more than ten years for sure. If I lose the appeal of 8 billion hryvnia against me, then what will happen to my property here?
SK: They'll arrest you.
AK: You see how wisely and perspicaciously you assess the situation. Therefore, my reaction is natural.
SK: If it weren’t for the lawsuit, you would have done the same.
AK: I'm not sure.
SK: Vitrenko does not have a mother in America, but he moved his money to Liechtenstein.
AK: Vitrenko is in exactly the same situation - we are under criminal investigation. All Naftogaz employees who received the bonus are now being interrogated.
Imagine yourself in my place. In principle, I never keep a lot of money in my account here for this very reason. I understand that based on the facts related to the work of Naftogaz, a huge number of cases have now been opened - I have a thick folder with these cases, I leaf through them periodically. There are NABU and the prosecutor’s office - everything is there. These investigations themselves are a normal process, I take this calmly. But none of these cases have been closed; they are all in limbo. And this creates significant risk.”
See also: “The fight with Russia is already lost” - Head of Naftogaz.
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