“A bit theatrical”: how Zelensky and Kolomoisky argued about Ukraine’s foreign policy

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky commented on the words of the oligarch Igor Kolomoisky about the need for rapprochement with Russia. According to the head of the Ukrainian state, he would like to determine the direction of development of relations with other countries.

“I would like for me, as president, to think about international relations and the vector of Ukraine, and not just any businessman. I think this is correct. I, the government, society ... This decision is still state-owned, ”Zelensky said.

Earlier, that Kolomoisky has no right to speak on behalf of Ukraine or the president, said the press secretary of the President of Ukraine Yulia Mendel. On her Facebook page, she also wrote that Kolomoisky did not discuss issues related to solving public affairs.

These comments appeared after the publication of an interview with a Ukrainian businessman on the pages of The New York Times. Kolomoisky told the American publication that Kiev should reestablish ties with Moscow for the sake of "economic survival of Ukraine." In particular, Russia, in his opinion, could provide Kiev with a loan of $ 100 billion, taking on the functions that the IMF now performs. The United States must stop using Ukraine in the war against its geopolitical rival, Kolomoisky believes.

“Everything looks a bit theatrical”

The President of Ukraine and an influential businessman, who had previously been repeatedly accused of patronizing the current Kiev authorities, diverged in assessing the political course. According to Bohdan Bezpalko, a member of the Council on Interethnic Relations under the President of Russia, such a public exchange of remarks looks a bit overtly.

“Everything looks a bit theatrical. And the statement of Kolomoisky, and the reaction of Zelensky himself. Moreover, Zelensky is literally theatrical, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.

According to Bezpalko, the fact that Zelensky reacted rather late to Kolomoysky’s words also looks strange. His official response came more than a week after the article was published in The New York Times. According to the expert, the statement of the Ukrainian president was made for certain people and to create the illusion of independence.

“This is an attempt to distance oneself from Kolomoisky even in the eyes of a certain audience. Moreover, a number of American politicians demanded that Zelensky make some efforts to completely eliminate Kolomoisky’s influence, ”Bezpalko noted.

According to the analyst, by counteracting the oligarch’s attacks on the change in the course of Ukraine, the Ukrainian leader created the appearance of opposing Kolomoisky. However, in reality, as Bezpalko notes, such skirmishes can be used so as not to resort to a real limitation of Kolomoisky’s influence. ”

A similar opinion is shared by Deputy Director of the Institute of CIS Countries Vladimir Zharikhin. He noted that Zelensky is unlikely to be able to refute the fact of informal communication with the oligarch, since he publicly announced personal contacts. In August of this year, the businessman admitted that he corresponded with Zelensky on WhatsApp.

And if it is impossible to refute the existence of informal communication, then it is simply necessary to create the appearance that it does not affect the fulfillment of state duties, Zharikhin believes.

“He simply proceeded from the fact that he needed to demonstrate what he had problems with - to demonstrate his independence,” the expert explained.

Domestic kitchen

A RT source in the Servant of the People party said that the exchange of relatively harsh statements between Zelensky and Kolomoisky did not really affect their relationship. According to the interlocutor, both the president and the oligarch understand that they need each other, and therefore the confrontation between them is very conditional.

“The President is well aware that a direct conflict with the oligarch will lead to the collapse of the majority in the Party of the Servant of the People, as well as problems in the future. Who can guarantee Zelensky’s safety after he ceases to be president? ”The source explained.

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As for the Ukrainian businessman, it is important for him to create an effect of direct influence on Zelensky, as this can become his "saving straw" in case of problems with American justice, a RT source in the president’s office notes.

“Kolomoisky never makes harsh statements for nothing. The new idea of ​​rapprochement with Russia is just an attempt to warn that if criminal cases are brought against Kolomoisky in the USA and they are given a move, Ukraine will quickly return to Russian influence, ”the source said.

Recall that earlier the media reported that the FBI allegedly launched an investigation against the Ukrainian oligarch. He is suspected of financial crimes in the United States, as well as preparing for the murder.

Meanwhile, a source in the Golos party suggested that Zelensky was afraid of "putting the oligarch in its place."

“Zelensky’s team expects Kolomoisky to lose all international courts and even lose the hypothetical opportunity to return PrivatBank ... Zelensky will observe the process (of the American investigation. - RT ) from the side. Such a strategy may indicate the weakness of the president, who is simply afraid to put the oligarch in his place, ”a source in the Golos party told RT.

Prior to the nationalization of PrivatBank, the largest bank in Ukraine, in 2016, Kolomoisky owned 41% of the organization’s shares. At the moment, the former owners of the financial institution are trying to challenge in court the legality of the operation carried out by Kiev. The oligarch claims compensation for the loss of his share in the amount of $ 2 billion.