Warm welcome for disgraced former IMF chief Strauss-Kahn in Ukraine

Disgraced former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has returned to the international conference circuit with an appearance on Wednesday before economics students and businessman in Ukraine carefully organised to avoid the demonstrations that have dogged his previous visits abroad. 

Reuters/Gleb Garanich

His visit to Kiev came at the invitation of steel-magnate Viktor Pinchuk, a billionaire who, like Strauss-Kahn, is a client of the Euro RSCG advertising firm.

Pinchuk said Strauss-Kahn’s contribution to understanding and solving the 2008 financial crisis was “significant” and his visit was an opportunity for students and decision makers to understand and discuss with him current economic problems.

Strauss-Kahn told his audience European leaders must work swiftly to solve the eurozone’s problems or face the disintegration of the region.

Last month, Strauss-Kahn was forced to use a police car to escape a group of students at Britain’s prestigious Cambridge University who were protesting his appearance at a conference.

Following the incident he cancelled a speech at the European Parliament after objections by several MPs.

Strauss-Kahn is currently fighting a civil suit brought by a New York hotel maid, Nafissatou Diallo, who claims the French politician allegedly assaulted her in an hotel room last year.

He has also been charged in connection with a prostitution ring in the northern French city of Lille, a charge that could carry a 20 year prison sentence.