Rinat Akhmetov The largest supporter of the Ukrainian Association with the EU is a Swedish economist

Large Ukrainian business is interested in integration processes with the European Union. One of the largest supporters of the association is the second after Viktor Yanukovych in terms of influence of a person - Rinat Akhmetov, says Swedish economist Andres Oslund, Radio liberty reports.

Oslund is convinced that among Ukrainian businessmen there are very few those who opposed the Association with the EU and striving for the Customs Union with Russia. In particular, Akhmetov wants to sell more in Europe and participate in its energy market more actively.

Rinat Akhmetov, for his part, in a commentary to reporters noted that after a trade confrontation with Russia, Ukraine should bear important lessons.

“This situation on the border will make Ukraine stronger, Ukrainian business and every Ukrainian. We have the opportunity to gain experience, look at ourselves: what we did correctly and wrong. That's right - to analyze, and in the future so that we only become stronger from this, ”says Akhmetov. - And so that we do not depend on this. In order to depend on Ukraine, but Ukraine does not depend. ”

The oligarchs hope not only to increase access to European markets, but also to protect their capital, to legalize it. Exceptions are the so -called “red directors”, that is, millionaires of the retirement age, accustomed to integrating into the post -Soviet space or only receiving dividends, and managers are engaged in their business.