Ukraine. Viktor Medvedchuk, Putin’s friend, pro-Russian politician and one of the richest Ukrainians, was taken over by the SBU. imagination

Wiktor Medwedczuk, one of the richest Ukrainians and friend of Vladimir Putin, the pro-Russian politician who disappeared from house arrest near Kyiv on February 24, was tracked down by the Ukrainian services. This is the result of a photo published on Tuesday evening by President Volodymyr Zelensky on his account on social networking sites.

“A special operation was carried out thanks to the Ukrainian Security Service. Zuchy! Details later. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelenski wrote on Facebook.

“Victor Medvedchuk, the leader of Ukraine’s most prominent party friendly to the Kremlin, used his close relationship with Putin to become one of Ukraine’s most influential behind-the-scenes political mediators for more than three decades. It also made him a very prominent rich man: Forbes magazine estimated his worth at $620 million. In 2021 ”- The Washington Post presents his silhouette.

According to the newspaper, if Moscow manages to occupy Ukraine, Medvedchuk’s party may be a base for politicians from whom the Kremlin can form a government that sympathizes with him.

We read below: “Medvedchuk denies that the party is pro-Russian. However, it is aimed at strengthening political and economic relations with Moscow, and many of its members chant the Kremlin’s slogans.”

The American newspaper reports that the Ukrainian oligarch’s relationship with Putin has been going on for nearly 20 years. “Medvedchuk visited the Russian leader in Moscow and Sochi, and with Putin watched the races and sambo championships,” says the Wshington Post.

After Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014, the US government imposed sanctions on Medvedchuk “for his contribution to the current situation in Ukraine” and for his leadership of an organization that was at that time “engaged in activities or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine” — it was written .

However, as the newspaper notes, when a conflict with Moscow-backed separatists erupted in eastern Ukraine a few months later, Ukrainian officials found Medvedchuk a useful mediator in contacts with the Kremlin, who could relay news to Russian officials and assist in negotiations with militants for a prisoner exchange.

“This role of mediator ended abruptly with the victory of Volodymyr Zelensky in the presidential elections in Ukraine in 2019. In February 2021, Zelensky signed a decree accusing Medvedchuk of financing terrorism and freezing his assets” – states the American daily.

The Euractiv portal, which presents the character of Medvedchuk, dates back to the times of the Soviet Union. He describes that the future Russian oligarch was then a lawyer ex officio in political trials. “In the early 90s, he began to work, and in the second half of the 90s he became deputy and head of the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine. He was head of the administration of President Leonid Kuchma. Befriended Vladimir Putin and other prominent Russian politicians, the Russian leader became the godfather of his daughter, hence the nickname “Putin” com”.

In turn, Ukrainian journalists from the Slidstvo.Info . portal They showed photos and recordings of the Medvedchuk restaurant car, which was found on his property in Puszcza-Wodych near Kyiv. The interior of this carriage is exquisitely decorated, finished with many golden elements.