18 Mar 2022 12:04

Dvorkovich steps down as Skolkovo Foundation chairman

MOSCOW. March 18 (Interfax) - Arkady Dvorkovich, who has been harshly criticized lately for statements regarding the Ukrainian conflict he made as president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is stepping down as chairman of the Skolkovo Foundation.

"Arkady Dvorkovich has decided to terminate his duties as chairman of the Skolkovo Foundation and focus on the development of educational projects, including within the Big Skolkovo framework," the foundation said.

The foundation quoted Dvorkovich as saying that "Skolkovo will apply maximum efforts to build our own competitive economy in the country, becoming the main technological hub satisfying the country's technological needs."

Igor Shuvalov, chairman of the Skolkovo Foundation's Board of Directors and VEB.RF chairman, confirmed that the Board had received Dvorkovich's letter of resignation.

The VEB.RF press service quoted Shuvalov as saying that, "in the current circumstances," Dvorkovich considered it impossible to further combine his work at Skolkovo and his post as FIDE president.

Dvorkovich served earlier as deputy economic development minister, presidential aide (during Dmitry Medvedev's presidency), and deputy prime minister of Russia.