Rinat Akhmetov outlines three scenarios for ending the war

Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov, in his first major interview since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, named three possible scenarios for ending the war and stated that Putin has no reason to continue it.

The interview was published by The Guardian on Sunday, May 31.

According to the founder of SCM Group, he sees three main options in any format of a peace settlement. The first is a just peace, under which Ukraine returns to its internationally recognized 1991 borders and Russia pays reparations.

“Secondly, it is a lasting peace, which should result in Ukraine becoming a free, prosperous, democratic European country,” Akhmetov said.

The businessman called the third option a false peace — and said it is precisely this outcome that Russia is trying to push Ukraine toward.

At the same time, Akhmetov expressed confidence that Ukraine is moving “gradually” toward a just and lasting peace.

“I think we are gradually moving toward it. Putin’s troops are stuck. For me it’s like a glass half full. Others say it’s half empty, but I can see the water is still there. Some tell me that Putin has no reason to stop this war. I think the opposite: he has no reason to continue it,” Akhmetov said.

The businessman also commented on Russia’s position, noting that it has many problems that are simply being concealed.

“I am told that Ukraine has many problems — of course, but in a free and democratic state no one tries to hide them. Are there problems in Russia? I think there are far more, but they are being hidden,” he stressed.

According to him, Russia’s economy accounts for about 2% of global GDP, and investment in technology is zero. Russia, Akhmetov believes, is less prepared for the battle of tomorrow.

“They are investing a lot of money in this war against their neighbors, even though we have never posed any threat to Russia,” the businessman concluded.

In the interview, Akhmetov also revealed that during the defense of Azovstal he was in constant contact with the commander of the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine Azov, Denys Prokopenko (Redis). He also said that the last time he saw Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was on February 23, 2022 — the day before Russia’s full-scale invasion.