Russia-Ukraine war: Russian tycoon Oleg Tinkov renounces citizenship

Prominent Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov announced this week that he has renounced his Russian citizenship due to the war in Ukraine. Tinkov, who has previously criticized the war, also urged his peers to do the same.

Tinkov shared a post on Instagram Monday that he has renounced his Russian citizenship due to the war in Ukraine that has been going on for more than eight months. Tinkov was among the prominent Russians who criticized the war and urged his fellow businessmen to take the same action.

“I have taken the decision to exit my citizenship. I can’t and won’t be associated with a fascist country that started a war with their peaceful neighbor and killing innocent people daily,” said Tinkov, who shared a photo of a certificate that confirmed the “ending” of his citizenship and has been based outside of the country in recent years.

“I hope more prominent businessmen will follow me, so it weakens Putin’s regime and his economy, and put him eventually in defeat.”

“I hate Putin’s Russia, but love all Russians who are clearly against this crazy war!” said Tinkov, according to AFP.

Tinkov, who previously described the war as “crazy” and back in April claimed that 90 percent of his countrymen were against the Kremlin’s decision to invade Ukraine back in February and called on Western leaders to help put an end to the “massacre.” Tinkov has also been targeted by British sanctions shortly after the war.

Tinkov stepped down from his role as the CEO of the online Tinkoff Bank in 2020, and the bank has since distanced itself from his criticism of the war.

Ukraine on Tuesday called for Russia’s expulsion from the G20 group of countries, as well as to have Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s invitation to the upcoming summit in Bali revoked.

“Putin publicly acknowledged ordering missile strikes on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure. With his hands stained in blood, he must not be allowed to sit at the table with world leaders. Putin’s invitation to Bali summit must be revoked, and Russia expelled from G20,” tweeted spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko.