The richest man in Ukraine has pledged to help rebuild Mariupol.[/B] The reason is Rinat Akhmetov whose business empire has been collapsing for eight years due to the conflicts in eastern Ukraine.
Mariupol is home to two huge steelworks that he owns. According to Forbes magazine, Akhmetov's net worth in 2013 reached $15.4 billion. Today it stands at $3.9 billion.
"For us, the war broke out in 2014. We lost all our assets both in Crimea and in the temporarily occupied territory of Donbass. We lost our operations, but it made us tougher and stronger," he commented."
Akhmetov remains confident that Ukraine's "brave soldiers" will defend the Azov Sea city, which has been turned into a deserted town after seven weeks of bombardment by Russian troops.
Metinvest's company is Ukraine's largest steelmaker, and has announced that it cannot meet its contractual obligations.
"Mariupol is a global tragedy and a global example of heroism. For me, Mariupol was and will always be a Ukrainian city," Akhmetov told Reuters.
"I believe that our brave soldiers will defend the city, although I understand how difficult and hard it is for them," he added.
Source: in.gr
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