DONETSK, May 25. /ITAR-TASS/. Negotiations between representatives of the newly formed Donetsk People’s Republic and Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov have yielded no compromise on the issue of the nationalization of Akhmetov’s enterprises and his payment of taxes to the republic’s budget.

Akhmetov was not present at talks personally but reportedly took part in them in the videoconference regime via Skype. The talks will be continued on Monday. The government of the Donetsk People’s Republic says Akhmetov is currently outside Ukraine. A source close to the matter told ITAR-TASS he was in London.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Borodai said that Donetsk’s military command had taken under protection the residence of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov until the end of the negotiations. “Negotiations are underway. We hope to receive an answer very soon, maybe, tomorrow,” he said, adding that no one would be let into the residence until the talks were over.

According to earlier reports, more than 5,000 people took part in a rally against presidential elections in Ukraine that are being held on Sunday. The protester moved to Akhmetov’s residence to picket it. The oligarch however is outside Ukraine, according to the government of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

On May 19, Akhmetov, CEO of the SKM company, called on workers of his enterprises to go on strike in protest against the Donetsk People’s Republic. On May 23, the Donetsk Republic’s prosecutor office opened a criminal case against Akhmetov on charges of tax evasion and attempts of toppling the authorities.