The daughter of Viktor Medvedchuk, an incredibly powerful godfather. This is the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Medvedchuk also has US sanctions for "a threat to the peace, security, stability, sovereignty or territorial integrity" of his native country.

Why then he takes part in the negotiations on the future of the territories of Ukraine seized by the Russian forces? Yes, and on behalf of Kiev.

This is reported today by the Financial Times, adding that the 62-year-old Medvedchuk has always been one of the most controversial and mysterious political figures in Ukraine. He is close enough to Putin to provoke hostility from many in Kiev. Medvedchuk appeared on the photo next to the Russian president at meetings on martial arts and racing "Formula 1" in Sochi. In 2012, Putin visited Medvedchuk's villa in the Crimea, and on television showed how they drink champagne together. Many suspect that Medvedchuk is "Putin's agent".

"However, he suddenly took the role of an intermediary between Moscow and the current pro-Western government in Kiev, as well as" potentially a key role in the end of the conflict, "which began after the overthrow of Viktor Yanukovych's regime in 2014, the Russian annexation of Crimea and the invasion of the East of Ukraine. His role emphasizes the complexity of relations between neighbors who have become enemies, and the entanglement of the motivations of the loyalty of many political elites, "- writes the publication.

In an interview for the Financial Times Medvedchuk insisted that all the assumptions of his work on Russia's interests are "absurd".

"I can have and have relations with Putin, because these relations, from my point of view, help the interests of Ukraine," he told the British edition in his office amid a TV with Russian news on the screen.

Medvedchuk added that he has a special permission to fly directly from Kiev to Moscow, despite the fact that both countries banned a direct message. Officially Medvedchuk negotiates for the release of prisoners in the framework of the Minsk process. But people familiar with the situation told the publication that in fact he is participating in constant secret negotiations on the integration of the territories of Donbas seized by the Russian forces with the rest of the country.

In an interview, Medvedchuk said that Minsk agreements hang in the balance. At the same time he accused both Moscow and Kiev of default. According to him, to get out of the situation it will be possible if the Ukrainian parliament endows the territories seized by Russian forces with limited autonomy and holds elections there. In turn, Russia must fulfill its part of the Minsk agreements, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Donbass. But in his opinion, the possibility that the Russian army will remain on Ukrainian territory "can be discussed".

Medvedchuk added that it would be easier to resolve the conflict if the talks were expanded at the expense of those that disturbed Moscow, including Ukraine's desire to join NATO.

"Ukraine does not need NATO. In today's situation, this will lead to the split of Ukraine. It must act in the interests of its own development. And among these interests there is no accession to NATO and the EU. None of the organizations we do not need, "reads the article.

Medvedchuk stressed that Ukraine should be a "sovereign, independent" country, but only in alliance with Russia.

"I am convinced that we will be friendly countries, wonderful neighbors. We were fraternal countries and we will be such in the future, "said Mevdetshuk.

Asked whether he shared Putin's statement that Ukrainians and Russians are supposedly "one people", Medvedchuk replied that he "discussed" this topic with the Russian president.

"I am of the opinion that we are two people, but friendly and fraternal," he said..

Recall, in November last year Medvedchuk was interrogated in the case of the murder of Heavenly Hundreds. The prosecutor's office confirmed that the interrogation was "very long, very detailed, and there were many interesting moments". However, the details were not disclosed then.