During a videoconference interview with several Russian media, Mr. Zelensky said he had received “signals” from several Russian businessmen, including billionaire Roman Abramovich, a close associate of Vladimir Putin targeted by Union sanctions. European and UK.
“We had signals from him and a few other businessmen, proposing: + we can help in one way or another, we can do something +”, he said.
“Some said they were ready to help rebuild the country following the war. +We are ready to transfer our business to Ukraine, we live in England or somewhere in Switzerland, we want it. But how can we do not appear on the list of sanctions +? ”, related the president.
“Some people don’t want to give their name and say they want to help our army, while being citizens of the Russian Federation,” he continued.
Mr. Zelensky then assured that whatever businessmen were ready to donate money to support the Ukrainian army, Ukraine was ready to “ensure their safety, provide them with work and allow their businesses to develop”.
“I am talking specifically regarding the sanctions in our state. We can discuss it, we can discuss the change of citizenship of these people”, he explained, stressing that it was not “compulsory to do it publicly”.
According to the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, Mr. Zelensky allegedly asked Joe Biden not to sanction Roman Abramovich, believing that he might play a role in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
