Zelensky says Russian businessmen offered Ukraine support

A woman holds a jacket as she examines ruins of a building where she was living before it was destroyd by Russian shelling in Mykolaiv, a key city on the road to Odessa, Ukraine’s biggest port on March 27, 2022.  After some terrible weeks in which the Russian army has tried in vain to blow up this strategic city, the threat in the last few days seems to have eased a bit. Over the weekend, the air raid sirens were no longer disturbing locals in Mykolaiv, who were increasingly venturing out on the streets. Most barely hurry when they hear them. (AFP)

KYIV, Ukraine  – President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Ukraine had received offers of support from Russian businessmen and that Kyiv would give refuge to anyone who backed his country’s fight against Moscow.

During an interview with Russian journalists Zelensky said he had received signals of support from Russian businessmen, including Roman Abramovich.

The Ukrainian leader said the businessmen had told him they wanted to “do something” and “help somehow” to de-escalate Russia’s now month-long military assault on Ukraine.

“Some said that they were ready to help rebuild the country after the war,” Zelensky said during the interview conducted by journalists from several independent Russian media.

Western countries including the United States and the EU have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including placing oligarchs and other individuals close to Putin on sanctions lists.

Abramovich was among the individuals listed under new sanctions adopted by the European Union last week.

Zelensky said that some Russian business had offered support in the hope of being excluded from penalties in return.

He also said that Ukraine was prepared to help Russian businessmen who aided Kyiv’s fight against Russian troops.

“We are ready to provide them with security and then provide work and development of their business,” Zelensky said.

Abramovich, 55, who bought the Chelsea football club in 2003, has denied claims that he bought it on Putin’s orders, to expand Russia’s influence abroad in the early 2000s.

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