- December 19, 2025
- 1:45 pm
- World News
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, publicly warned the Russian-Israeli oligarch Roman Abramovich that he is obliged to transfer 2.5 billion pounds sterling, received from the sale of the football club Chelsea, to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Otherwise, the British government is ready to pursue this through the courts.
The statement was made on an international level and became one of the toughest signals from London to figures under the sanctions regime associated with Russia.
Speech in the House of Commons: time is almost up
Speaking on December 17 in the House of Commons, Keir Starmer stated that Abramovich has less and less time to fulfill the obligation he took on in 2022 during the club’s sale deal.
“I address Abramovich with the following message: time is ticking, fulfill your obligations and pay now. If you do not do this, we will be forced to go to court,” said the Prime Minister.
According to the head of the British government, the oligarch has 90 days to voluntarily transfer the funds. Otherwise, London will initiate a legal procedure to ensure that the money reaches those affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Ministry of Finance license and “last chance”
On the same day, the UK Ministry of Finance issued a special license allowing the transfer of frozen funds to a new humanitarian fund for Ukraine. The department emphasized that they are ready to consider any proposal from Abramovich for a voluntary donation but called the current moment his “last chance to fulfill the previous obligation”.
This concerns funds that have been under the control of the British financial system since 2022 due to sanctions imposed on Abramovich after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
From Chelsea owner to sanctions case
Roman Abramovich owned London Chelsea since 2003. In early March 2023, he announced the sale of the club amid sanctions pressure. By May, an agreement was signed to sell Chelsea to a consortium of businessmen involving American billionaire Todd Boehly.
The deal amounted to 4.25 billion pounds sterling, of which about 2.5 billion were to be directed to humanitarian purposes. Later, the newspaper The Telegraph wrote that London is considering transferring a “historical sum” — up to 2.3 billion pounds from the deal to Ukraine.
Key conflict: who exactly should receive the money
As noted by British media, including Daily Mail, Abramovich refuses to agree with the formula that the funds should be directed exclusively to Ukraine. According to sources in the British Foreign Office, the oligarch insists that part of the money should also be distributed among those affected in Russia.
This point became the main subject of dispute. London’s position remains firm: the aggressor and the victim cannot be equated, and humanitarian aid should be directed to those affected by the invasion and occupation.
Why this is a precedent
The situation around the funds from the sale of Chelsea goes far beyond a single case. For the first time, a major Western country openly declares its readiness to ensure through the courts the use of frozen assets of a sanctioned oligarch in the interests of Ukraine.
This case could become a benchmark for other European countries where assets of Russian businessmen linked to the Kremlin are frozen.
What’s next
If Abramovich agrees to the terms, the transfer of funds could be initiated in the coming months. If not, the UK is ready to move to a legal scenario, which will effectively create a new mechanism of pressure on Russian capital abroad.
In the context of a protracted war and growing donor fatigue, such decisions acquire not only financial but also political significance.
NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency
