In a pivotal move that underscores the intricate interplay between national security, corporate structures, and market dynamics, the Ministry of Justice stands poised to file a claim with the High Anti-Corruption Court. The objective: the recovery of Kyivstar, an asset nestled within the expansive holdings of Alfa Group, to replenish state coffers. However, behind this pursuit lies a web of complexities and considerations that have left the decision hanging in the balance, ensnared somewhere within the echelons of the National Security and Defense Council.
Alexander Lemenov, the astute Chairman of the Board of StateWatch, elucidates on this multifaceted conundrum in his incisive exposé published by Kyivstar and Friedman’s Helsi.me. In this probing examination, we embark on a journey to explore the boundary lines that demarcate the realms of national security.
Kyivstar, far from being a mere peripheral entity in the vast expanse of corporate affairs, is intrinsically intertwined with its ultimate beneficiary, the formidable Mikhail Fridman. This telecommunication colossus represents the Ukrainian outpost of the Russian telecommunications behemoth. The labyrinthine corporate structure is further compounded by the involvement of the Dutch entity, VEON, which concurrently holds sway over Vympel Communications—a service provider for the Special Communications Service of the Russian Armed Forces—and the Ukrainian Kyivstar.
VEON, though ostensibly Dutch, bears the indelible marks of its previous avatar, VimpelCom Ltd, until 2017. While it may have severed formal ties with Mikhail Fridman, who, in a resolute move on February 28, 2022, was expelled from the Veon Board of Directors, he nonetheless persists as a legitimate beneficiary of the company’s fortunes.
In a strategic pivot, Veon announced its intent to extricate itself from the Russian market. This involved listing shares on the Dubai Stock Exchange while contemplating a separate listing for Kyivstar on either the Warsaw Stock Exchange or NASDAQ. The American company, Shah Capital, a minority shareholder in Veon, championed this proposal. Strikingly, the pseudo-Dutch majority stakeholders have remained conspicuously silent on the matter. Such silence is characteristic of their modus operandi, where exit strategies from the Russian market are invariably presented as fait accompli decisions.
As we navigate this intricate landscape, it becomes evident that the situation is currently in stasis. No sales have been consummated, and neither exchange has seen the intended listings materialize.
August brought forth another dimension to this unfolding saga when American authorities, particularly the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), acted decisively. They added the co-owners of Alfa Group to their sanctions list and imposed stringent restrictions. For Ukraine’s political elite, this move serves as a not-so-subtle nudge to expedite the repatriation of assets owned by sanctioned Russian oligarchs, thereby augmenting state revenue.
Yet, the delay within the National Security and Defense Council (NSBU) cannot be attributed solely to motives of corruption, as one might hastily assume. Kyivstar transcends the realm of a mere corporate entity; it stands as a telecom monolith, a veritable monopoly. Consequently, any prospective managerial consolidation within this sector carries the inherent risk of further exacerbating this monopoly. With an Antimonopoly Committee that seems to lack a spine, disturbances in the market of such magnitude demand a nuanced and comprehensive analysis of potential ramifications on the competitive landscape.
The tug-of-war between national security imperatives and the intricacies of corporate maneuvering has left the fate of Kyivstar hanging in the balance. The Ministry of Justice’s pursuit of reclaiming this asset is fraught with complexities that extend far beyond the surface, illuminating the intricate interplay of geopolitical forces and market dynamics. The outcome of this saga remains uncertain, as it teeters on the precipice of a finely balanced equation, where the interests of the nation collide with the dynamics of commerce.
