The Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash has been living – rather inconspicuously – in exile in Vienna for a decade now.
The general public is not really his thing. The 58-year-old gave one of his rare interviews to the “Krone” newspaper [1] – the first since Putin’s war of aggression against his home country. However, Firtash has – of necessity – been “at home” in Vienna for ten years now.
The USA wants to put him on trial (see info box below), a tug-of-war is underway with our judiciary. Since his brief arrest in 2014, Firtasch has been running his empire from a palace in the city center.
[2]
“Krone”: Mr. Firtasch, ten years ago you were arrested on the street in Vienna. Not good memories I suppose?
Dmytro Firtasch: I will never forget that day. I was shocked, I didn’t know what was going on. It was only later that I realized that the US government was demanding my extradition.
Do you see Austria as your prison?
100 percent not. I am grateful that Austria took me in, also thanks to the public. And grateful for the fair justice system in this country.
In the meantime, war has broken out. Are you in contact with the Ukrainian leadership?
Yes, in social and economic matters. Our main business is still in Ukraine. We help as much as we can – especially with money.
The Firtash case got rolling in 2014. Almost ten years ago to the day, on March 12, 2014, the billionaire entrepreneur was arrested in Vienna on the basis of a US arrest warrant and later released on record bail of 125 million euros. The USA made allegations of bribery and demanded the extradition of the Ukrainian. He vehemently denied the accusations – his arrest was purely politically motivated. Firtash has been legally fighting the USA’s extradition request ever since. In June 2023, the Vienna Higher Regional Court decided to grant a retrial – which means nothing other than a return to the starting line.
Speaking of money: aid from the West has recently stalled somewhat.
Nothing in the world is free. We must be aware that – when the war is over – Ukraine will have to pay everything back. Weapons, money and other benefits.
It is estimated that seven million Ukrainians fled to the West during the war. Do you think they will ever return?
The government in Kiev must make them an offer, give them prospects. The longer the war lasts, the more difficult it will be.
Perhaps with EU accession?
Politically, Ukraine has moved in the direction of Europe. However, the people in Ukraine believe that joining the EU would solve all their problems. You have to explain to people what that means. Nothing comes for free, you have to work hard to be part of it. After ten years in Vienna, I can say that every Austrian works hard to get by. There are no miracles – you have to work hard and see how you pay your bills.
Should the charges against you be dropped – where do you see your future? In Vienna, in Ukraine – or somewhere else?
If you had asked me five years ago, I would have said Kiev. In the meantime, I have also grown fond of Vienna. We have moved many companies here, I am no longer on business trips. I used to wonder how you can have dinner at 6 pm. But now I also recognize the advantages – you get to bed much earlier and can get up earlier.