Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that several Russian businessmen had offered to donate money to help Ukraine, including to support its army.
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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, saying, ‘we can help somehow, 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 not be on the sanctions list?”, Recounted 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 business to develop oneself”.
“I am talking concretely 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 Wall Street Journal Wednesday, Mr. Zelensky reportedly asked Joe Biden not to sanction Roman Abramovich, believing that he might play a role in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
