Mordashov said he did not understand why sanctions were imposed against him

Billionaire, the main owner and chairman of the board of directors of Severstal, Alexei Mordashov, against whom the EU imposed sanctions on Monday evening due to Russia's military operation in Ukraine, said he did not understand the reasons for such a step. He said this in a commentary, which was transmitted by the press service to RBC.

“Answering the question about the introduction of EU sanctions against me, I want to emphasize that I am far from politics and have been creating economic value for the companies in which I worked in Russia and abroad all my life. I have absolutely nothing to do with the emergence of the current geopolitical tensions. I don’t understand why sanctions have been imposed on me,” he said.

The businessman added that for a long time he was engaged in the development of economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation with European countries. “I don’t understand how sanctions against me will help resolve the conflict in Ukraine,” Mordashov added.

Commenting on what is happening in Ukraine, the owner of Severstal called the situation "a tragedy of two fraternal peoples." “It is terrible that Ukrainians and Russians are dying, people are suffering hardships, the economy is collapsing. We must do everything necessary so that a way out of this conflict is found as soon as possible and the bloodshed stops in order to help the affected people restore normal life," Mordashov emphasized.