Starmer to Abramovich: Pay £2.5bn Chelsea funds to Ukraine now or face court
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Issues Ultimatum to Roman Abramovich: 'Pay Up Now' or Face Court Over Chelsea Sale Funds
Starmer to Abramovich: Pay £2.5bn Chelsea funds to Ukraine now or face court
In a bold move to ensure aid reaches victims of the ongoing war in Ukraine , UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has demanded that Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich immediately transfer the £2.5 billion proceeds from the 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club to a humanitarian foundation, warning that failure to comply could result in court action. The funds, frozen in a UK bank account since Abramovich was sanctioned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, were pledged by the former Chelsea owner to support war victims. However, delays in establishing a suitable foundation have kept the money locked away for over three years, drawing criticism from Ukrainian officials and charities alike. Speaking in the House of Commons on December 17, Starmer announced that the UK government would issue a special licence to facilitate the transfer of the frozen assets to a newly established independent foundation dedicated to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. "Honour the commitment you made and pay up …