Influential Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov said that he thanked everyone, who participated in the Voice of Donbas rally against leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and for united Ukraine, and that such rallies will continue.
“Donetsk People’s Republic” activists intimidate rally participants,”
Akhmetov said in a statement posted on the website of System Capital
Management (SCM) company. “I know that many more would like to come but
they were threatened with guns, vehicles were smashed… And despite
everything, the voice of Donbas was heard. And it will be heard even
more!” the document said.
According to Akhmetov, “the Donetsk People’s Republic is lying to people.”
“They are lying to the people of Donbas. These are crooks, they took
all of Donbas hostage and terrorize it. Who are they? What are these
people? Where did these “geniuses” come from? Who were they yesterday?
They have not created a single job,” the businessman said.
However, “they will be chucked out very soon. If someone thinks that
they are leading us towards success, this is a mistake. This is a big
mistake. They lead to a crash, poverty, hunger and cold. They do not
protect Donbas with their actions, they destroy Donbas,” he said.
“Donbas and the Donetsk People’s Republic have different paths,” Akhmetov said.
A rally for united Ukraine, in which many enterprises of the region
participated, was held in Donbas at Akhmetov’s initiative on May 20.
Factory whistles and car horns were used in Donbas cities to express
support for a united Ukraine and “the Donetsk People’s Republic”
supporters were opposed to this.
Presidium head of the so-called supreme council of the
self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushylin said
nationalization started in the region.
“It has been decided to start the process of nationalization due to
the unwillingness of regional oligarchs to pay taxes to the Donetsk
People’s Republic’s budget,” Pushylin was quoted as saying on the
republic’s official Twitter account.
The stance of Akhmetov, who initiated the warning protest rally in
Donbas against the activities of the “Donetsk People’s Republic”
representatives, deserves condemnation, Pushylin said.
“Akhmetov has made his choice. Unfortunately, this choice is against
the people of Donbas. Paying taxes to Kyiv means financing terror in
Donbas,” Pushylin said.
