Podoliak defends sanctioned FIDE president Turlov

Mykhailo Podolyak, a freelance advisor to the President’s Office, has come to the defense of the new head of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Timur Turlov, who is under Ukrainian sanctions. Podolyak has agreed to join his team as a FIDE vice-president.

“Dzerkalo Tyzhnia” writes about this.

After Podoliak’s appointment, the Chess Federation of Ukraine called on the SBU to investigate his actions and open a case regarding possible betrayal of Ukraine’s national interests.

In response, the OP’s advisor recorded a 20-minute video in which he explained his decision and commented on the sanctions against Turlov.

Podoliak said that the restrictions that Ukraine imposed against Turlov in 2022 look “a little strange” to him.

He explained this by the fact that Turlov is not involved in the raw materials business, but works on global stock markets and invests in assets in various countries. According to Podoliak, the businessman’s main company is located in the United States, and he closed his business in Russia back in 2017.

The OP’s advisor also stated that after the start of the full-scale invasion, Turlov changed his Russian citizenship to Kazakhstani and invested in humanitarian programs in Ukraine.

At the same time, Podoliak acknowledged that the issue of sanctions against Turlov remains complex, and emphasized that the decision on them falls within the competence of the NSDC.

He explained his decision to become FIDE Vice President by his desire to increase the number of Ukrainians in leadership positions in international sports federations.

According to Podoliak, Ukrainians should apply for the positions of presidents, vice presidents, and other leadership positions in such organizations. He added that it is not enough to just make statements now, but instead, you need to take on specific work.

Podoliak called the reaction of the Ukrainian Chess Federation to his appointment “detached from reality.”

“Dzerkalo Tyzhnia” reminds that Freedom Holding, which is associated with Turlov, appeared in journalistic investigations into possible money laundering and circumvention of sanctions against Russia.

In 2023, Hindenburg Research published an investigation, the authors of which claimed that the holding company could help Russian oligarchs and sanctioned individuals withdraw capital and circumvent international restrictions.

The analytical materials also mentioned Turlov’s alleged connections to funds belonging to Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin and the FSB. Against the backdrop of these allegations, the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission launched an investigation.

Turlov himself denied all the accusations.

As previously reported, the Chess Federation of Ukraine stated that it did not authorize Mykhailo Podoliak to represent Ukraine in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) . The organization also appealed to the Security Service of Ukraine with a request to evaluate his actions and demands that he not be appointed as FIDE Vice-President.

Recall that the Chess Federation of Ukraine stated that it does not support the candidacy of Kazakh billionaire Timur Turlov in the FIDE presidential elections . The statement came after Mykhailo Podolyak, a freelance advisor to the President’s Office, agreed to join Turlov’s team.

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