According to the prime minister, Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch, must “pay up now” to the victims of the conflict in Ukraine or risk legal action. In 2022, Mr. Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea Football Club, promised to use the £2.5 billion he received from the club’s sale to aid victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, a dispute over the precise use of the cash, currently held in a British bank account, has delayed its release. On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said to the Commons, My message to Abramovich is clear: the clock is ticking.
Mr. Abramovich urged that the funds be used for “all victims of the war,” that is, Russians might also profit, despite the government’s desire to use them for humanitarian help. The oligarch still legally owns the funds from the Chelsea sale, but he cannot access them due to UK sanctions. Sir Keir informed lawmakers that the UK had granted permission “to transfer £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea Football Club that’s been frozen since 2022.
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