Putin Demands Russian Oligarchs Repay 'debts From The 90s'

• 27.03.2026, 15:35

Some agreed.

The Kremlin wants to improve the financial situation in Russia through voluntary contributions from oligarchs, and some of them have already agreed, considering it a "debt for the 90s" when they were launching businesses, writes Financial Times.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has asked oligarchs to make voluntary contributions to the budget to stabilize finances amid the war against Ukraine. The publication's sources said that he asked a large group of businessmen to support the budget.

The Russian dictator made it clear that he intends to continue the war until the capture of the remaining territories of Donbass, which are not yet controlled by Russia.

Two businessmen among those present at the meeting have already declared their willingness to make contributions. In particular, Suleyman Kerimov allegedly agreed to contribute about 100 billion rubles, the initiative was also supported by businessman Oleg Deripaska.

The Kremlin itself recognized the fact of the meeting and the discussion of contributions, but assure that Putin did not ask for anything - they say it was the initiative of the largest businesses.

When asked by a Reuters journalist, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said that one of the participants in the meeting "did say that he considered it necessary for the state to allocate a certain large, very large sum of money, and this was his family decision."

"It is not true that Putin made such a request," the Kremlin spokesman said. He also emphasized that it was not about financing the war.

"One of the participants argued that the vast majority of the meeting participants started their business in the 90s, and mostly, of course, this beginning was somehow connected with the state. And that is why now many people simply consider it their duty to make such contributions," Peskov assured.

According to The Bell, the idea to "shake up business in a difficult time for the country" belongs to the head of Rosneft Igor Sechin - allegedly he outlined it in a letter to Putin.

According to the publication's sources, billionaire Suleiman Kerimov promised to contribute 100 billion rubles, and the idea was supported by "at least one other major businessman present at the meeting."