"International Experts Should Decide on PrivatBank" – Ukraine’s Zelenskyy

10 October 2019 15:18

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the negotiations with an oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky over the fate of PrivatBank, now a state—owned bank, are needed. However, the “issue has to be resolved by the independent international experts”. The statement was made during a “press marathon” on October 10 in Kyiv.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the negotiations with an oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky over the fate of PrivatBank, now a state-owned bank, are needed. However, the “ issue has to be resolved by the independent international experts ”. The statement was made during a “press marathon” on October 10 in Kyiv.

“ As soon as we decided to invite the oligarchs to talk about the complex issues and their slogans, a certain photo appeared [of Zelenskyy meeting Kolomoisky]. After that, international experts and media began to say: 'They started to negotiate',” Zelenskyy said about the criticism over this meeting with Kolomoisky who seeks to return his former asset.

“ It is necessary to talk so the state would not bear any losses, it is necessary to sit down with him and say: "Look, it won’t work, there is no money, nobody will return anything, let's settle it,” Zelenskyy added, arguing that the oligarchs would agree to compromise in favor of Ukraine because of the war.

“In matters of PrivatBank, I will defend our country, only the interests of [Ukraine]. So far, in my life, I have not called any judge, never communicated [with them]. If the outcome is such that we have to defend our country, I will defend [it],” the head of state said.

This also concerns the statements by Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk who, in mid-September, said in an interview with Financial Times that the President is looking for a “ compromise ” with the former owner of the largest Ukrainian bank.