Business with Deminsky and ties to Klitschko: what is Kyiv's "chief jeweler" König hiding?

Business with Deminsky and ties to Klitschko: what is Kyiv's "chief jeweler" König hiding?

Little known in America, businessman König owns a network of jewelry boutiques in Kyiv and has entered the list of the wealthiest Ukrainian expats: who is behind the success of the capital’s main jewelry dealer?

He owns more than a dozen jewelry boutiques in Kyiv, supplies precious jewelry to Ukraine’s "stars" and politicians, and is the sole official dealer in Ukraine for world-famous brands Tiffany, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels and others. American millionaire Robert König burst into the top-100 of Ukrainian wealthy people according to Forbes and is an active participant in the capital’s social life. But who or what stands behind the businessman’s success? And what does the Klitschko family’s gambling business have to do with it?

Journalist Diana Lovska of StopKor looked behind the scenes of the glamorous life of the city’s elite.

Tiffany, Montblanc, Alfred Dunhill, Roger Dubuis, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari – everyone has heard these brand names. Wearing jewelry and watches from world-famous makers is a favorite of successful businessmen, celebrities, politicians, their wives and lovers. And the elegant stores in the very center of Kyiv further emphasize the status of these brands.

As you might guess, the price tags there are substantial. For example, a Bulgari bracelet can be purchased for 10,5 thousand dollars, and the average cost of Roger Dubuis watches is 133 thousand "greenbacks."

Who owns the expensive boutiques in the heart of the capital?

The official and sole representative of the mentioned jewelry companies in Ukraine is a businessman with an American passport – Robert König. A few years ago the millionaire, known in narrow circles, had 15 boutiques in the capital, which allowed him to get into Forbes’ Ukrainian ranking. He occupies 8 place among the richest expats in the country, and his wealth reaches hundreds of millions of dollars.

Mr. König is an active participant in Kyiv’s social events. The ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree by Tiffany, Bulgari’s gala evening, a children’s holiday at the Sanpaolo restaurant, watch presentations, film premieres – Robert is everywhere, either as a sponsor or the event’s main guest.

Kateryna Osadcha, Yuriy Horbunov, Potap, Dmytro Gordon, Mykhailo Radutskyi, Volodymyr Ostapchuk, Nataliya Cherep, Dmytro Kuleba and many other celebrities are not only in König’s social circle but also, coincidentally, his clients. In addition, König is often seen at boxing matches.

After all, he has friendly and business relations with the Klitschko family.

In particular, one of the co-founders of the American’s company LLC "Quatro M" was the mayor’s brother – Volodymyr Klitschko.

Moreover, StopKor obtained very interesting papers: specifically, an agreement between Klevla Family, Robert König and Pavlo Deminsky. Klevla Family is a company of Volodymyr Klitschko, registered in the Principality of Liechtenstein. Its main type of activity is organizing gambling. In particular, also through subsidiary structures in Ukraine.

In turn, Pavlo Deminsky is a long-time associate of the head of the Kyiv City State Administration, Vitali Klitschko. They are united not only by joint ownership of a number of companies but also by a prestigious position: Deminsky has been an advisor to the mayor of Kyiv since the beginning of Klitschko Sr.'s term. He still holds this unpaid post.

"However, his influence is determined not by the position. According to DS News, Deminsky’s office is located opposite the Kyiv mayor’s office, not just on the same floor, but in the same premises. The reception room is shared, as is the secretary," notes Diana Lovska.

Pavlo Deminsky is a long-standing business partner of the Klitschko family.

In particular, he controls the company Black Sea Investment Group – the Black Sea Investment Group.

As stated on the company’s own website, Black Sea Investment Group has extensive experience managing real estate facilities of various purposes with an area of more than 400 thousand sq. m, and its experience in international financial markets is measured in several billion dollars. The company provides services in attracting investment and project management.

Given the scale of such business ties, journalists are not surprised by the influence Deminsky has in the Klitschko administration. Officially Pavlo Vasylovych is part of the personal staff for eliminating the consequences of an emergency situation. But it is more accurate to say – any situation: according to the media, no document passes his desk unnoticed.

"It is this 'right hand' of Klitschko who decides which documents will reach the Kyiv mayor’s desk and which will not. Which issues to reject, which to advance, and what to 'put on hold.' Before bringing any issue to the mayor, the entire KMDA vertical, from his deputies and department directors to the heads of municipal enterprises, first agrees the matter in Deminsky’s office. If you get the 'green light' there, the mayor will also give his consent, since he makes decisions based on his recommendations," insiders say.

What do the mayor’s structures and the 'grey cardinal' Deminsky actually have to do with Mr. König’s jewelry business?

StopKor wanted to ask the 'jewelry king' about this in person, knowing that he was in Ukraine; unexpectedly he returned to the States. Coincidence? Unknown for now. Our editorial team continues the investigation and is already preparing the next piece in the series, which will reveal even more interesting details about the millionaire’s life and his clients.