Well-known Russian businessman of Armenian origin, co-director of Sberbank CIB Ruben Vardanyan said during the Sobchak Alive TV program that he is not going to run for Armenian presidency.
He said that every man must do what he can. "I do a lot for Armenia, but I am a Russian citizen, and I believe that I am good only where I do what I can do. I am on very good terms with the Armenian authorities. I think I am a bad politician. I will not be able to do politics - especially in Armenia, whose mentality and culture are much different from what I saw in the country I grew up in," Vardanyan said.
He said that Armenia has its own problems. It is a monoethnic state with a clan regime. He refuted the rumors that the Armenian authorities keep him away from politics.
According to Forbes, Vardanyan has a wealth of almost $0.5bln. He has a foundation that is very active in Armenia. It has provided $20mln for the Revival of Tatev and is co-funding the $120mln Dilijan International School project.