Zelenskiy’s chief of staff used to be Kolomoisky’s personal lawyer. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, publicly praised by the tycoon, was among only two officials to retain their places in the new government.
The head of Kolomoisky’s TV station and three of its journalists are lawmakers for Zelenskiy’s party. Another, Oleksandr Dubinsky, represents parliament on a committee that picks independent board members for state-controlled banks, including Privatbank.
Then there’s the central bank, a driving force in the government’s takeover of Privatbank. Dubinsky wants parliament to probe the its actions in recent years. The bank has complained about threats to current and former officials.
The past few days have seen speculation build. Zelenskiy met Kolomoisky in his office for the first time on Sept. 10. The next day, Privatbank’s headquarters were raided by police.
Kolomoisky said later that he didn’t discuss the bank at his meeting with Zelenskiy and doesn’t want to get it back “at any cost.” Even so, he sees a “good window of opportunity” now the officials that handled the nationalization aren’t around.
A Ukrainian court ruled in April that the takeover was unlawful in a case that’s pending appeal.
‘Sought-After Guest’
Some within Zelenskiy’s team see evidence of Kolomoisky’s influence, while others play down fears he has undue sway.
“It’s old news that they had a business relationship in the past,” said Lenna Koszarny, a founding partner and chief executive officer at private-equity firm Horizon Capital. “Now the president has power in the country, he should be able to withstand any kind of pressure from any business group -- whether local or foreign.”
Ukraine’s most powerful people seem to sense which way the wind is blowing.
Victor Pinchuk, another billionaire, held his annual flagship conference last week. Kolomoisky appeared for the first time in its 16-year history, and stole the show. Pinchuk called him “the most sought-after guest” at the event, which later featured movie star Mila Kunis.