“I’m not an oligarch”: Akhmetov complained to the Americans about Zelensky
Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov stated this in an interview with CNN, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
He believes that the so-called anti-oligarchic law adopted in Ukraine “may be a power grab disguised as reforms.”
“Relations with business should be regulated in a civilized manner, which is followed by all developed countries, and not by populist laws. Neither the US nor the EU has a law on “oligarchs” that would allow the compilation of illegal lists of undesirable persons out of court. Instead, they have a law on lobbying,” Akhmetov said.
He is against being called an oligarch.
“I’m not an oligarch. I have never been and do not intend to be an oligarch. I am the largest private investor, employer and taxpayer in Ukraine,” the oligarch assures.
The publication notes that after February 24, Akhmetov “became the largest private donor to the war in Ukraine,” providing “more than $100 million in military and humanitarian aid.”
Akhmetov claims that he earned his first money by playing the tricky fool.
“I’ll tell you honestly, I earned my first capital by playing cards,” he convinces. “And this is what I learned: cards are about tactics and strategy, an analytical mind, a practical approach and the ability to win.”
At the same time, in the past, the leader of one of the most powerful organized crime groups in Ukraine denies that he was involved in crime.
“I have never been associated with any criminal organizations, I have never been prosecuted, and no criminal charges have been brought against me,” says the oligarch.
Let us recall that the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, headed by President Zelensky, will now decide who is considered an oligarch and, accordingly, impose a number of painful restrictions on them.
“The requirements of this law do not apply to me: I left politics in 2012, long before the law came into force, and I do not plan to return to politics,” Akhmetov justifies.
However, after the law came into force, he announced that he was giving up licenses for his media empire, which includes two major national television channels.
“There is only one reason for this decision: the discriminatory law on oligarchs came into force,” explains Akhmetov.
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