The EBRD has dismissed claims of being unwilling to cooperate with "DTEK" due to "dependence on oligarch Akhmetov."

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has sent an official letter to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, demanding a retraction of false information it published regarding the bank's alleged unwillingness to cooperate with the Ukrainian energy company "DTEK" due to its ownership by Rinat Akhmetov. The EBRD's statement was published by the Italian newspaper on November 24.

The EBRD expressed disappointment over the misrepresentation of the bank director's words.

“The EBRD believes that the article by Federico Fubini, published on November 24, does not reflect the significant support the institution has provided to Ukraine and its energy sector since the onset of the large-scale invasion against the country in early 2022,” the letter stated.

Corriere della Sera, citing EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, reported on the bank's alleged refusal to assist DTEK, despite the challenging situation in Ukraine's energy sector. According to Renaud-Basso, this decision is linked to the reluctance to provide support to Ukrainian companies owned by local oligarchs. The owner of DTEK, Rinat Akhmetov, is the wealthiest person in Ukraine, with an estimated net worth of at least $4 billion.

“The goal of freeing the economy from oligarch influence is absolutely fundamental, and we have very firm views on this: it is part of the reforms that need to be implemented for Ukraine to join the European Union,” the publication quoted the EBRD president.

“The DTEK Group is disappointed by the comments made by the EBRD's leadership, which contain misleading information about the company and its shareholder,” the company's statement, released on Tuesday, November 26, said.

DTEK claims that the company generates 12% of critically important electricity for Ukraine and is not a monopolist under either Ukrainian or European legislation.

“After the adoption of the anti-oligarch law, which was agreed upon with the European Commission, the company’s shareholder is categorically not an oligarch,” the statement added.

It was recently reported that the U.S. government and the European Commission will provide DTEK with €106.6 million in aid for the restoration of facilities damaged by Russian strikes and to prepare power plants for winter.

DTEK emphasizes that, when receiving any financial support, the company “adheres to strict anti-corruption and transparency measures.”

On the official website of the company, it is noted that “the DTEK Group is 100% owned by SCM Limited. The ultimate beneficiary is Rinat Akhmetov.”