The richest Ukrainian Akhmetov has revealed his plan: He wants to rebuild the ruined city of Mariupol – New Time

The richest Ukrainian, Rinat Akhmetov, wants to help rebuild the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which has already been largely destroyed by shelling and air strikes by Russian invading troops. Remains of Ukrainian defenders are currently resisting the Mariupol ruins. TASR took over the report from Reuters on Saturday, which reminds that Akhmetov has close ties to Mariupol and also owns two large steel plants there. “Mariupol is a tragedy and an example of heroism for the whole world. For me, Mariupol has always been a Ukrainian city and will always remain,” said the oligarch, who had been associated with the pro-Russian Party of the Regions in the past. He expressed the hope that “our brave soldiers” will eventually defend this strategically located port city on the Sea of ​​Azov, which Russian troops have been attacking for seven weeks. Akhmetov’s “empire” in eastern Ukraine suffered great damage during the ongoing Russian invasion, but also as a result of the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, where fighting has been going on for almost eight years. In 2013, the wealth of this large business was estimated at $ 15.4 billion, at present it is only 3.9 billion. Rinat Akhmetov owns the Azovstal Mariupol steelworks and the Illicov metallurgical plant, which were largely destroyed during the battles for the city. The remnants of the Ukrainian defenders are resisting the Russian invaders in the large Azovstal complex, while heavy fighting had previously taken place in Illic’s steelworks. Akhmetov owns Ukraine’s largest steel company, Metinvest, which said on Friday that it would never operate in territories controlled by Russian occupiers. “My ambition is to return to Mariupol, Ukraine … so that the steel there can once again compete on world markets as before,” the oligarch said in written answers to Reuters questions. “I believe that after winning this war, we will all be able to rebuild freedom, a European, democratic and successful Ukraine together.” He expressed the belief that the war damage was so extensive that Ukraine would need an unprecedented international recovery plan, a kind of new Marshall Plan. At the same time, Akhmetov believes that his financial and industrial conglomerate SCM, which is the largest private business entity in Ukraine, will also play a key role in the post-war reconstruction. He estimated the amount of damage at about a trillion dollars. Akhmetov also praised the “commitment and professionalism” of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in defending the country. He expressed his willingness to forget about mutual disputes from the past and work with him on the post-war reconstruction of devastated Ukraine.