2024-05-07 23:20:58
It was only announced at the end of April that the entire business, after almost two years of delay in exiting Russia, was sold to Ocean Group. “Some people cannot come to terms with the idea that the Vičiūnai company no longer exists in the Eastern markets,” says V. Matijošaitis.
As he claims, he bows low to the people of Kaunas who trusted him. “I feel strong support and understanding every day, when I meet and communicate with residents,” adds the mayor.
“I have never felt any pressure from the people of Kaunas for me or my family members. Except for a narrow circle of local conservatives and a few young people hanging around. They will never forgive us for taking the city from Kupčinsk and returning Kaunas to the people of Kaunas.
Moral pressure could come from those who have at least some conscience, but here was a purely political, cynical attack with no morals at all,” the report said.
He also hinted at a “strange coincidence”. It is said that only when the issues of the sale of companies moved from the point of death, did obstacles start in Lithuania: protests, investigations, articles or “other pressure”. “It seemed that someone really didn’t want a quick end,” the mayor of Kaunas is convinced, also talking about bullying, manipulation, “fooling” people with their invented scares.
V. Matijošaitis raises another question in his comment, recalling the decades-long history of “Vičiūnai Group“: did the current government care at all about it in the last two years? During all this time, has anyone been interested in how the process of exiting Russia actually unfolded?
“The answer is clear, you saw it yourself.” Instead, everyone who was not lazy was able to criticize,” he answers.
“In short, if one of the current rulers offers you to wade into a wide and swift river, do not be surprised that, when you start to sink, no one will offer a hand and give you a lifeline. On the contrary, they will try with all their might to make you sink as fast and as deep as possible.
And let’s not forget Kubilius’ invitations with bicycle tours around Belarus. Not so much time has passed, and everything turned upside down. Such is the morality…” – concludes V. Matijošaitis.
When the war in Ukraine started, V. Matijošaitis promised to withdraw from Russia, but he did not do so for almost two years. Only in 2024 April 19 information emerged that the entire business has been sold to the Russian management group Gruppa Okean, which is associated with the large Russian fish and seafood importer Unifrost. However, there is no data on Gruppa Okean in the Russian register.
According to the “Stop trade in Russia” initiative, last year “Vičiūnai-Rus” received 183 million euros in revenue and could add more than 23 million euros to the Russian budget.
2024-05-07 23:20:58