Soros says ready to invest $1 billion in Ukraine if West helps

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Business | Mon Mar 30, 2015 2:16pm EDT

Soros says ready to invest $1 billion in Ukraine if West helps

VIENNA

(Reuters) - George Soros is ready to invest $1 billion in Ukraine if Western countries help private investment there, and sees a 1 in 3 chance Greece will leave the euro, the billionaire financier told Austrian newspaper Der Standard.

Soros has previously urged the West to step up aid to Ukraine, outlining steps toward a $50 billion financing package that he said should be viewed as a bulwark against an increasingly aggressive Russia.

"The West can help Ukraine by increasing attractiveness for investors. A political risk insurance is necessary. This could take the form of mezzanine financing at EU interest rates - very close to zero," he said in an interview published on Monday.

"I stand ready. There are concrete investment ideas, for example in agriculture and infrastructure projects. I would put in $1 billion. This must generate a profit. My foundation would benefit from this ... Private engagement needs strong political leadership."

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/30/us-ukraine-crisis-soros-idUSKBN0MQ0FP20150330

[newfie11]

1. Step up

Or occupy? So his investments would be safe?

[jakeXT]

2. the old and tried socialism for the rich where profits are privatised and losses are socialised /nt

[JDPriestly]

3. It's his foundation that will profit as I read it. The plan is not to promote Soros' personal gain.

[MisterP]

4. he wants to tank the hryvnia even further?