KIEV, Jan. 17 – Vitaliy Hayduk, the billionaire who was recently nominated for the post of deputy prime minister for energy and industry, plans to sell his stake in a steel empire, his partner said.

Serhiy Taruta, who jointly with Hayduk co-owns the Industrial Union of Donbas, the steel and chemical holding, said talks had been underway to buy out his partner’s assets.