Igor Kolomoiski in Kiev
Photo: AFP / Unian Agency / Vladislav Musienko
The US imposed sanctions on the controversial Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoiski on Friday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the former governor, his wife and children are now prohibited from entering the United States.
Washington accuses the former governor of corruption.
During his tenure in 2014 and 2015, he had abused his post "for his personal gain".
Blinken also expressed concern about "Kolomoiski's continued efforts to undermine the democratic process and institutions in Ukraine."
The US Secretary of State spoke of a "serious threat" to the country's future.
The US government will continue to support all Ukrainians who advocate reform.
Until 2016, Kolomoiski owned PrivatBank, the country's largest private financial institution.
The bank was nationalized after allegations of nepotism.
Kolomoiski is said to have siphoned $ 5.5 billion from the bank.
He has long been considered a confidante of today's head of state Volodymyr Selenskyj, who took office in 2019 with a promise to fight corruption in Ukraine.
Before he switched to politics, the oligarch's TV station had broadcast Zelenskyi's comedy show.
Kolomoiski's name also appeared in the Ukraine affair, which led to the first impeachment proceedings against then US President Donald Trump.
Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani had met with the oligarch whom he apparently wanted to use as a middleman.
Trump had urged Kiev to investigate his rival Joe Biden and his son.
He wanted to get to incriminating material against Biden, who eventually defeated Trump in the presidential election in November.
In January, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on four Ukrainians who allegedly supported Giuliani in his project.
Among them was a member of parliament who is considered to be Kolomoiski's confidante.
Icon: The mirror
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