KYIV. Dec 12 (Interfax-Ukraine) – ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih CEO Paramjit Kahlon has said that various agencies are systemically pressing on the company, mainly law enforcement agencies, with a proposal to "cooperate" in exchange to the absence of unlawful inspections and questioning of top managers.

Kahlon said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on December 9 that a list of claims to the top managers of the enterprise has been sent to ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih on behalf of some agencies. He did not disclose the details.

"They are on paper – they handed a list of claims. We appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office," he said.

He said that if journalists would make the boldest assumptions what are the claims in the list, there are high chances that they could be true.

"[We feel] large pressure from law enforcement agencies. I cannot say if it is their initiatives or it is managed by a political force. This adds large risks for stable operation of the enterprise," he said.

Kahlon added that the enterprise is being inspected a lot without any grounds.

"Our people are questioned under criminal cases – 80 top managers were called for questioning," he said.

Recently an environment protection rally was held and its participants who received money blocked the entrance of the enterprise.

"This is open pressure forcing to share with some persons. The only message for us is cooperate with us. We would not fall for this pressure. We are an international company and the largest investor in Ukraine," Kahlon said.

He recalled that ArcelorMittal has invested $10.4 billion in the enterprise in Kryvy Rih and intends to continue investment in its development and modernization.

"I do not understand how one can have such an attitude to the largest investor. We have raised these issues at the level of top officials of the state," he said, adding that he recently discussed the operation of the company with the Ukrainian prime minister and president.

"National leaders today are doing their best to see arrival of investment to Ukraine. I am afraid that this could not happen due to the fault of some people. The situation with ArcelorMittal is a benchmark for other investors. We would like to see the creation of favorable conditions for work. We have not left Ukraine in hard times. We supported people, including those in the ATO zone," Kahlon said.

"We hope that the situation would change for better. We want to invest in Ukraine," he said.