The richest businessman in Ukraine, Rinat Akhmetov, announced that he would pay UAH 1 billion (more than $34.5 million) to the budget ahead of schedule. He explained this desire to help strengthen the country in a difficult period, Interfax-Ukraine reports. The money will be transferred from the oligarch's holding System Capital Management.
“Now more than ever, Ukraine needs the stability of public finances. Business should help the state in this. SCM will pay UAH 1 billion in taxes in advance,” the businessman promised.
He also called on the citizens of the country to unite against the backdrop of an unstable political situation.
“I have repeatedly said and repeat again that our common goal is a strong, peaceful, independent, integral Ukraine within the borders recognized by international law. Everyone in their area must do everything to strengthen the country,” Akhmetov said.
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called on citizens to defend the country and invest in its economy. Other measures of his announced program of "economic patriotism" are increasing the number of jobs, reducing the tax burden on businesses and reducing inspections.
In December 2021, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law that was positioned by the authorities as “anti-oligarchic”. In its original version, it assumed a significant increase in rent payments for the extraction and export of iron ore, one of Akhmetov's main businesses.
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