You're reading: Moscow concerned about infringement of Russian business rights in Ukraine

"Moscow is concerned about the infringement of rights of Russian business in Ukraine, which, in some cases, resembles Mahnovism and racket", said Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

“We have been worriedly watching the infringement of property rights of Russian companies on the Ukrainian territory and hearing the populist slogans of “not buying anything Russian”,” Medvedev wrote in his opinion piece, “Russia and Ukraine: Living by New Rules,” published by Nezavisimaya Gazeta on Dec.15.

Some of these problems are not directly related to the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement but “they are still part of the new economic reality,” said Dmitry Medvedev.

“There have been individual cases of pressure long before this year’s events but they are turning massive now. Many businessmen are admitting that it is increasingly difficult to protect their property rights in Ukraine with the accession of new authorities to office,” Medvedev wrote.

Certain situations look like Mahnovism rather than European values, he said. “For instance, the expropriation of dozens of new KamAZ trucks by “Maidan self-defense” fighters received broad media coverage in March. The Russian oil company [Lukoil], which is smoothly operating even in Iraq, has been forced to sell its gasoline stations in Ukraine. Armed people are attacking banks and enterprises owned by Russians under the pretext that they are allegedly financing terrorism,” Medvedev wrote indignantly.

Right Sector members have been behind acts of vandalism in many cities, the premier noted. “Let me remind you that controlling bodies had no claims against Russian banks and companies: they met all commitments. We see these events as sheer racket. The fact that Ukrainian law enforcement authorities do not protect Russian businessmen gives us the right to suggest that this is part of the state policy,” wrote Dmitry Medvedev.