According to the founder of SCM Group, he sees three key elements in any framework for a peace settlement. First and foremost is a just peace, under which Ukraine would return to its internationally recognized 1991 borders.
Russia must also pay reparations, he said.
“Second, it must be a lasting peace that allows Ukraine to become a free, prosperous and democratic European country,” Akhmetov said.
He added that there is also the possibility of a “false peace,” which Russia is trying to impose on Ukraine.
At the same time, he expressed confidence that Ukraine is “gradually” moving toward a just and lasting peace.
“I think we are gradually moving toward it. Putin’s troops are stuck. To me, the glass is half full. Others say it is half empty, but I can still see water in it. Some tell me Putin has no reason to stop this war. I think the opposite: he has no reason to continue it,” Rinat Akhmetov said.
The businessman also argued that Russia faces numerous problems, but that they are being concealed.
“I’m told Ukraine has many problems. Of course it does, but in a free and democratic country no one tries to hide them. Does Russia have problems? I think it has far more, but they are hidden,” he said.
He noted that Russia accounts for about 2% of global GDP and invests virtually nothing in technology.
In Akhmetov’s view, Russia is less prepared for the challenges of the future.
“They are spending enormous amounts of money on this war against their neighbors, even though we never posed any threat to Russia,” he said.
In the interview with The Guardian, Akhmetov also said he remained in constant contact with Denys Prokopenko (Redis), commander of the Azov Brigade’s 1st Corps of Ukraine’s National Guard, during the defense of Azovstal.
He added that the last time he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was on Feb. 23, 2022 — one day before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.