Moshe Kantor: UK imposed sanctions against Russian billionaire over connections with Putin | Ukraine

Russian billionaire Moshe Kantor, who was sanctioned by the UK government on The environment has long cultivated deep connections with British politicians and establishment figures including Tony Blair and Prince Charles.

Graded net worth of £3.48 billion, Kantor is the largest shareholder in fertilizer company Akron, which the Foreign Office said was of vital strategic importance. for Russian government.

But in Europe Kantor best known as holder of one of jewish communityhighest-profile roles, president of European Jewish Congress (EJC), as well as its numerous of interests in Jewish charities, education and events.

Was born in Moscow and now a British citizen, 68-year-old Kantor maintained close ties with Vladimir Putin and led a number of of delegations to meet with the President of Russia, according to Haaretz. In 2017, Putin awarded Kantor with order of Honour “in confession of his professional achievements and long-standing fair work”.

The Cantor Center, which was founded by a billionaire in Israel condemned Putin’s actions. invasion of Ukraine.

In 2015, Kantor appointed Tony Blair role fighting antisemitism as chairman of European Council on “Tolerance and Reconciliation”, an organization funded and founded by Kantor. Blair is still listed as chairman of organization, along with with in former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

Kantor – Vice President of Jewish Leadership Council and Honorary Life President of school in Ilford, East London, Cantor King Solomon, co with Apprentice of magnate Lord Alan Sugar.

He also organized the World Holocaust Forum dedicated to the 75th anniversary of of release of Auschwitz death camp, visited in Jerusalem of Prince Charles, Macron, then US Vice President Mike Pence and Putin.

The Kantor Center, which he founded at Tel Aviv University, issued a statement condemning the war. in Ukraine as “unprovoked invasion … and cowardly war crimes committed in accordance with directives of Vladimir Putin”.

Russian said it invasion there was “aggression in the fascist style” and added: “Putin has blood of thousands of victims, including children, on his hands. His politics are an existential threat world democracy, peace and security”.

The EJC stated that he was “deeply shocked and appalled decision» impose sanctions on Kantor, adding: “Dr. Kantor has received the most prestigious awards and honors from many European leaders. of state and government. We call for this decision be treated like soon because possible”.

Other oligarchs under UK sanctions on Wednesday was:

Andrey Guryev, main shareholder in PhosAgro, one of in the world’s largest fertilizer companies, with shares who traded on London Stock Exchange until they were suspended after invasion. He was revealed in 2015 to be the beneficiary of the offshore company that owned the 25-bedroom Witanhurst mansion near London’s Hampstead Heath, second the biggest private residence after Buckingham Palace.

Leonid Mikhelsonfounder of Russian natural gas producer Novatek, which also listed his shares in London before invasion. Michelson appreciated net worth of $22 billion (£17 billion) according to Forbes and his business partner is sanctioned oligarch Gennady Timchenko. Michelson, avid art collector, founded non-for- profit Russian modern art foundationVAK, in 2009, which has since funded international cooperation, including in London.

Boris Rotenberg, son of co-owner of Russia’s largest producer of gas pipelines, SGM, joins his billionaire father and uncle on sanctions list. He lives in London Belgravia, according to the UK and US governments.

Sergei Kogogin this director of Kamaz, manufacturer of trucks and buses, including for Russian military.

Andrey Akimov is the CEO of Russia’s third largest bankGazprombank, who was authorized by the US in 2018 amid anger over apparent Russian interference in 2016 US elections.

Sergei Sergeevich Ivanov this son of one of Putin’s closest associate Sergey Ivanov, former KGB agent who became deputy prime minister and protection minister. he is the president of in the world’s largest diamond producer in Russia, Alrosa, which is UK also sanctioned on Wednesday. ALROSA produces almost a third of in the world rough diamonds.

Alexander Dyukov is the executive director of Gazprom Neft is the third largest oil producer in Russia with a controlling stake owned by the state. A shipbuilding engineer by training, he worked at the St. Petersburg oil terminal shortly after Putin became deputy mayor and served on in board of petrochemical company Sibur, along with other Putin allies.