It is considered the richest man in Ukraine, but also the most controversial. Dmytro Firtash, an oligarch close to former President Yanukovych, made his fortune in fertilizers, mining, gas trade and media. It is since 2006 under the influence of an FBI investigation for corruption and organized crime. The United States demanded his extradition. He maintains his innocence and roundly on the current Ukrainian government is accused of shady business. If he opposes the war in his country, he does not hide his affinity with Russia.
Oleksandra Vakulina euronews
Dmytro Firtash, welcome to euronews and thank you for granting us this interview. I would first like to have your opinion on the current situation in Ukraine - economic and political.
Dmytro Firtash
I think the situation is very difficult. We face extremely difficult challenges, and we lost opportunities.
We see clearly now that over the 23 years of independence of Ukraine, we have not done what had to be done and we have not learned lessons. Hence the results we see today.
First, the economic situation is dire.
Second, the results of the last presidential and parliamentary elections did not bring solutions to the problems that people were expecting. The reforms are not implemented, there is no positive change, and ultimately, people suffer, business is affected, everyone suffers.
We need to change this, we must go back on what has been done over the last 23 years. We need to do a lot for the next 23 years. We must find solutions, this concerns the constitutional reform and economic reforms. This is a huge task, but it must be done.
euronews
When you talk of missed opportunities in the past and things that need to be done now, what practical reforms do you have in mind?
Dmytro Firtash
I am deeply convinced, and I do not deny that Ukraine needs to be rebuilt. This could take the form of a federation or a Polish system, German or Austrian, but it must settle the issue once and for all.
I am convinced that we should delegate more power to the regions, otherwise there will be no reconstruction or modernization. We should not be too much debate on what we have today. We should discuss what should be done.
We can all see what is happening in the country today - he
virtually collapsed. We are actually practically bankrupt. We can not do anything, and unfortunately the government has not implemented all reforms. And of course, the most important thing is that the war ends, I hope.
euronews
There are a number of reforms already under way and announced by the government. One of them concerns the energy sector. There is much talk now of gas supply. Ukraine she relies too heavily on gas supplies from Europe?
Dmytro Firtash
Life teaches us that it is important to be an expert in what you do, and understand how things work. Unfortunately, our government has a very superficial understanding of the whole process and can not fully appreciate the results of his actions.
It does not use all the tools at its disposal, it uses the wrong and loses its strengths, making the weak and also creates problems for Europe. Why? Because we continue to say that we can live without Russian gas, which is totally wrong
euronews
This is not true?
Dmytro Firtash
I do not believe these claims. And we still see more scandals in recent times - we buy gas or not.
We return to the situation where we were before. I think we should behave realistically, otherwise we will face the worst scenario when, sooner or later, Russia will hang on to Europe for South Stream or other pipeline. Because the Europeans will not want to become hostage to this constant confrontation. I think such behavior is not good.
euronews
Is there a third option? Whenever it comes to gas, we only speak of Russia or Europe. Will it someone else?
Dmitro Firtash
There is no third option. Europe, Ukraine and Russia should
sit at the same table discussions. That appreciates or not, we should keep the dialogue.
It was evident that when Europe and Ukraine discussed their association, the interests of Russia should not have been ignored. It was important that Europe speaks with Russia and Ukraine should do the same.
What we see today is the political part of the Association Agreement is in place, but the implementation of the economic component is delayed by a year or two. The dialogue with Russia has just begun. Why losing so much time?
Assayons us all at the same table and discuss problems and reservations of all, what does Russia, Ukraine and Europe. Let's have a frank and open discussion. We need unity, a large common market. And it does not really matter if it is built from Lisbon to the Far East or the Far East in Lisbon.
euronews
Yet another question on gas sourcing. The Ukrainian Minister of Economy, we interviewed a few days ago, notably spoke discussions with the Russian company Gazprom.
He said, and I quote, today there are no intermediaries and Ukraine negotiate directly with Gazprom. He also mentioned the RosUkrEnergo company in which you are a shareholder.
How do you respond to the Minister's statements that relations with Gazprom are much more transparent because there are more intermediaries?
Dmytro Firtash
What should happen when you remove an intermediary and that everything is much simpler? Well, at least you should expect to guarantees deliveries and a price stated clearly, is not it? And what do we have today? Do not get me wrong, I do not know exactly what the Minister meant, I do not want to criticize him, but he is not right.
But I can tell you that when RosUkrEnergo was in place, there was never any question of any threat to the stability of gas supply.
Europe got its gas, gas storage facilities in Ukraine were full and the price of gas for Ukraine was 179 per cubic meter. I do not know what spoke the Minister of Economy, but I would advise him to do more to clean up the country's budget.
I really do not know what it refers, and I'm not ashamed of anything. I have never speculated on gas in Ukraine. I gained some money outside of Ukraine.
euronews
I can not not ask you about the ongoing investigation in the United States. Where is she?
Dmytro Firtash
You know that I make no comment on it - not because I do not want or that I'm not ready but because my lawyers will not allow me. All I can say is that neither I nor my group have never done anything illegal. I say and we'll prove it.
Then I treat this matter as a political pressure because someone wanted to get away from the Ukrainian politics, me away from Ukraine, because these people knew my position, and that they could anticipate my actions.
I am against the war and I do not hide it. I keep saying that we need a constitutional reform, the three parties (Ukraine, Russia and Europe) should sit down and find solutions. This means that my position is clear.
euronews
Imagine for a moment that there is more action against you and all charges dropped. You are washed of all suspicion. Will you return to Ukraine? Tomorrow or after tomorrow?
Dmytro Firtash
I can tell you this: Ukraine, this is my home. If I wanted to live in another country, I could have done it on my own and thousands of times. But I've never done.
euronews
Do you have any political ambitions? You would see you play an active role, or rather be in the shadows?
Dmytro Firtash
No, I've never been involved in politics, I have never had the ambition to become a politician or government official. First of because I do not even know how to do, it's not something that's close to me. I like to do what I like. I love the business and that's exactly what I do.
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