Billionaire EU campaigner ‘paid’ Tony Blair

Tony Blair, the favourite to become Europe’s first president, is believed to have accepted tens of thousands of pounds from a steel billionaire campaigning for Ukraine to join the European Union.

Victor Pinchuk, who is championing the country’s bid for EU membership, has already hired Stephen Byers, the former Labour cabinet minister, to press his case. He reportedly paid Blair to give a keynote speech in Ukraine.

Ukrainian diplomats are preparing to launch a membership bid as early as next year and consider Blair a key ally.

Several European countries support closer economic ties with Ukraine but have not directly backed a bid. Some, including Germany, are concerned that closer links with Ukraine may jeopardise relations with Russia.

Full article here