Moscow, December 16. INTERFAX.RU — Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin denied rumors that the company was involved in the ruble’s collapse. “I would like to say a few words about the rumors being spread regarding Rosneft’s involvement in the collapse of the Russian Federation’s foreign exchange market: these rumors are a provocation,” Sechin told reporters on Tuesday. According to him, on the contrary, the company “is playing a positive role in stabilizing the currency system.” “As always, attention should be paid to those who are spreading these rumors. Government agencies have such a method — diverting attention to an unsuitable target, which in this case makes it possible to achieve the main objective pursued by the interested parties. In this case, the unsuitable target is Rosneft,” the company’s head said. According to him, “the interested parties and provocateurs must be dealt with.” “Who are these people — these Navalnys, Nemtsovs, and Kudrins (references to Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, politician Boris Nemtsov, and former finance minister Alexei Kudrin) — and whose goals are they serving?” Sechin added.
http://www.interfax.ru/business/413407
Update: A video has now appeared:
