KYIV. June 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that the country’s economy should be de-monopolized and oligarchs should be barred from influencing power.
“Today we should de-monopolize the Ukrainian economy and ban oligarchs from influencing power via transparent and effective European mechanisms,” Poroshenko said on the “Year of Poroshenko” program to mark the first year of his tenure, which aired on Ukrainian television channels on Thursday evening.
“Would oligarchs quickly retreat? No, they protect themselves and they will protect themselves. First they tried to protect themselves with private armies, [which are] threatening to the Ukrainian authorities, but they got a rap on their knuckles and they will get it more,” he said.
He said oligarchs were previously convinced that they could buy any power they sought.
“What did I start doing in fighting against oligarchs? I am independent from any of them. I financed my election campaign myself and until now no kopeck of so-called “aid to the president and administration” has arrived and [such money] will not arrive,” Poroshenko said.
He added that he believes this is not a fight against what he called concrete oligarchs, but is rather the setting of clear principles.
