Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is in Belarus trying to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, his spokesman has claimed.
Abramovich has been under pressure to speak out against Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
There have been calls in Parliament for the Russian billionaire to face sanctions as an oligarch “with links to the Russian state”. Abramovich has always denied links to Putin.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Abramovich is in Belarus “helping with the talks” and a spokesman for the Chelsea owner said: “I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution, and that he has been trying to help ever since.
“Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement.”
Abramovich’s involvement reportedly followed a request from Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky.
“I can confirm the Ukrainian side have been trying to find someone in Russia willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution,” Mr Rodnyansky said. “They are connected to Roman Abramovich through the Jewish community and reached out to him for help.
“Roman Abramovich has been trying to mobilise support for a peaceful resolution ever since. Although Roman Abramovich’s influence is limited, he is the only one who responded and taken it upon himself to try.”
Control of Chelsea remained in doubt this morning, with trustees of the club’s charitable foundation yet to agree to take over stewardship from Abramovich.
There remain questions over their proposed new roles, after the Russian owner’s shock decision to take a step back over the weekend. Among concerns is the legality of a sudden shift from a charity to the running of one of the world’s biggest football clubs.
Another issue raised has been the length of the stewardship and a reluctance to step in at a time when Russian oligarchs are being sanctioned by the UK Government in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Talks are expected to continue throughout this week.
