Ministers Demand Oligarch’s Money Goes Directly to Ukraine as Promised – But Legal Battle Looms
The UK government is preparing to take Roman Abramovich to court in a dramatic bid to redirect the £2.5 billion from Chelsea’s 2022 sale to Ukrainian war victims – nearly two years after the Russian oligarch pledged the windfall would help those affected by the conflict.
Sanctioned over his alleged ties to Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion, Abramovich was forced to sell the Blues to a U.S.-led consortium, with the proceeds frozen in a UK bank account. Though the former owner vowed the money would aid war victims, ministers now accuse him of stalling on delivering those funds to frontline humanitarian efforts.
In a stern joint statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed frustration over the deadlock: “We are determined to see this money reach Ukraine’s suffering families. While we remain open to talks, we won’t hesitate to pursue legal action if needed.”
The standoff marks a bitter postscript to Abramovich’s 19-year reign at Stamford Bridge, where he transformed Chelsea into a global powerhouse, bankrolling five Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs. Yet with the frozen fortune still legally his, the government is now drawing a hard line – setting the stage for a high-stakes courtroom clash over the contested billions.
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