You're reading: Firtash denies business with alleged Russian crime don

Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash has never been in a business or commercial partnership with alleged Russia-based crime boss Semion Mogilevich, and Mogilevich has never been a shareholder of or had anything to do with Eural Trans Gas and RosUkrEnergo, or any other companies that are linked to Firtash's business interests, the press service of the Ukrainian businessman has reported.

"The reports that Dmytro Firtash needed permission from Mr. Mogilevich to establish businesses are absurd and misleading," reads the document released on Thursday.

According to the press service, Firtash has never concealed the fact of his acquaintance with Mogilevich, in particular, he confirmed this in an interview with British newspaper the Financial Times in July 2006.

"Firtash is convinced that in a legal society, the media should not refer to unconfirmed facts and especially interpret them in the way profitable to certain forces," reads the statement.

As for WikiLeaks’s document about his conversation with a U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Firtash confirmed that he had a private meeting with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor in late 2008.

"The conversation with Ambassador Taylor was private and confidential, and Mr. Firtash holds the position not to disclose information about this meeting," the press service of the Ukrainian businessman reported.