Ukraine, on the eve of winter, is accelerating its transition to a war economy. While the conflict with Russia will undoubtedly continue for many months, the government announced on Monday, November 7 that it was going to take direct control of strategic companies in the country. Companies in the defense sector, but also in the energy sector, while fears are being felt about the continued support of international partners.
With our correspondent in kyiv, Stephane Siohan
The word has not been used publicly, but Ukraine could very soon carry out war nationalizations.
On Monday, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov announced that the Ukrainian state would use a special mechanism to take control of five strategic companies in the aeronautics, automotive and in the petroleum industry.
From now on, it will be the State which will manage the company Motor Sich, a world leader in aircraft engines, or Ukrnafta, a giant of oil production, or even AvtoKrAZ, a large manufacturer of trucks.
By doing so, Ukraine is reorienting its economy towards the defense sector, in support of the war effort, but it is also a message addressed to the country’s oligarchs.
Because the Motor Sich group, a major player in aeronautics, was headed by a businessman arrested in October, suspected of collaborating with Russia, and the other companies are, directly or indirectly, linked to the entourage of Ihor Kolomoisky, the former godfather of Volodymyr Zelensky, extremely discreet since the beginning of the war.
Against the oligarchs, the intention is clear: no more business; in time of war, you are with Ukraine, or against Ukraine.
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