during the 2013–14 euromaidan anti-government protests, akhmetov became a target of protest as he was seen as a symbol of oppression. in december 2013 protesters picketed his residence in london on several occasions, urging him to cut ties with incumbent president viktor yanukovych. in response, akhmetov issued a statement condemning police brutality. on 31 december, akhmetov reprimanded a group of protesters in public near his home in donetsk.