Ukraine’s top oligarch swore on Saturday to help rebuild his shattered country, just five months after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky accused him of funding a pro-Russian coup.
“We will rebuild all of Ukraine,” said billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, the country’s richest man.
“We will definitely need an unprecedented program of international reconstruction, the Marshall Plan, for Ukraine,” he added, given the enormous US efforts to rebuild Europe after World War II.
Akhmetov’s two steel plants, based in Mariupol, the backbone of his $ 3.9 billion fortune, were shut down during Russia’s ongoing bombing of Ukraine’s strategic port city.
“My ambition is to return to Mariupol, Ukraine, and realize ours [production] plans so that the steel produced in Mariupol can compete on world markets as before, “Akhmetov said.
Rinat Akhmetov promised to help rebuild Ukraine after the war.NurPhoto via Getty Images Rinat Akhmetov’s steel plants were based in the besieged city of Mariupol. AP
“Mariupol is a world tragedy and a world example of heroism,” he said. “I believe that our brave soldiers will defend the city, although I understand how difficult and difficult it is for them.
In November, Zelensky accused Akhmetov of plotting to overthrow his government in a Russian-backed conspiracy amid growing tensions as Vladimir Putin’s forces piled up across Ukraine’s borders to build up military forces before the invasion.
Akhmetov, a staunch opponent of Zelenski’s anti-corruption measures against national oligarchs, called the coup allegation an “absolute lie”, Politico reported at the time.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has accused Rinat Akhmetov of plotting a coup against him in November. AFP’s Getty Images Rinat Akhmetov called what Russia did to Mariupol a “global tragedy.” Anadolu Agency through Getty Images
On Saturday, the oligarch praised Zelensky’s “passion and professionalism” in opposing the Russian invasion.
“War is certainly not a time for controversy,” Akhmetov said.
Akhmetov’s vow to help his homeland came a day after his steel company Metinvest said: “Mariupol must remain Ukrainian.”
Rinat Akhmetov said Ukraine would require its own Marshall Plan. AP
“We believe in Ukraine’s victory and … we will never work under Russian occupation,” the company said.
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