Starmer Demands Abramovich Pay Up or Face Court
The UK Prime Minister has issued a stern warning to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, demanding he “pay up now” to support victims of the war in Ukraine or face legal consequences.
Mr. Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea Football Club, had pledged in 2022 to dedicate the £2.5 billion proceeds from the club’s sale to aid those affected by Russia’s invasion. However, the release of these funds, currently held in a British bank account, has been stalled due to disagreements over their allocation.
Addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: “My message to Abramovich is clear: the clock is ticking.”
While the UK government intends for the money to be used for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, Mr. Abramovich has reportedly insisted the funds should benefit “all victims of the war,” potentially including Russian citizens. Despite being subject to UK sanctions preventing him from accessing the funds, the proceeds from the Chelsea sale remain legally his.
Sir Keir further updated MPs, revealing that the UK has issued a license “to transfer £2.5bn from the sale of Chelsea Football Club that’s been frozen since 2022.” He warned Mr. Abramovich to “Honour the commitment that you made and pay up now, and if you don’t we’re prepared to go to court and ensure that every penny reaches those whose lives have been torn apart by Putin’s illegal war.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed this sentiment in an interview with the BBC, stating Mr. Abramovich “needs to honour that commitment, pay that money.” When questioned about the possibility of a protracted legal battle, Ms. Cooper urged him to avoid further court action, but confirmed the government is prepared to pursue legal avenues if necessary.
Representatives for Mr. Abramovich have so far declined to comment on the matter.
According to the Treasury, the terms of the license stipulate that the funds must be directed towards “humanitarian causes” in Ukraine and cannot provide any benefit to Mr. Abramovich or any other sanctioned individuals.
The government initially threatened legal action against Mr. Abramovich back in June. Chancellor Rachel Reeves had stated: “It is unacceptable that more than £2.5bn of money owed to the Ukrainian people can be allowed to remain frozen in a UK bank account.”
Mr. Abramovich, a Russian billionaire with significant holdings in oil and gas, was granted a special license to sell Chelsea following the invasion of Ukraine, contingent on demonstrating that he would not personally profit from the sale. He has consistently denied allegations of close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sources indicate that Mr. Abramovich has a 90-day window to comply before the UK government proceeds with legal action. Meanwhile, EU leaders are scheduled to review proposals on Thursday to utilize frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine’s budget and defence capabilities, a move that has drawn strong opposition from Russia.
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