One of Ukraine's most powerful oligarchs Ihor Kolomoisky is not going to run for president / Photo from UNIAN
Former Dnipropetrovsk governor and one of Ukraine's most powerful oligarchs Ihor Kolomoisky claims he is not going to run for president, according to TSN TV news service.
"I'm not planning at all. Never say never, but my say now is 'never,'" he said at an improvised press conference after a meeting of the supervisory board of oil producer PJSC Ukrnafta on July 22.
When asked what was behind his decision, he wondered in jest: "Why is that? How about looking at the mirror and acknowledge: 'I'm no president!' We should be self-critical."
Kolomoisky also refuted reports that Ukrainian gas tycoon Dmytro Firtash was going to run for president. "I think it's a fake," he added.
TSN footage
NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine owns 50% plus one share in Ukrnafta, while a group of companies affiliated with PrivatBank's shareholders own about 42% of the oil producer's shares.
Kolomoisky is a co-owner of PrivatBank and a minority shareholder in Ukrnafta.