Legal action looms as former Chelsea owner fails to release money pledged for Ukraine aid.
The UK government is preparing to take legal action against sanctioned former Roman Abramovich after he failed to release £2.5bn from the sale of Chelsea FC, funds that were pledged to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
The standoff dates back to 2022, when Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea following sanctions imposed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At the time, he committed to donating the proceeds to victims of the war.
However, the UK government says he has not fulfilled that promise, prompting a firm response. A government spokesperson stated that Abramovich had been given a final opportunity to act but failed to do so, adding that authorities will now take steps to ensure the commitment is honored.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had earlier warned that legal proceedings could follow if the funds were not released. Officials have now reportedly contacted Abramovich’s legal team, signaling that court action is imminent.
A key issue remains disagreement over how the funds should be distributed. While Abramovich has insisted the money should go to “all victims of the war”, the UK government maintains it must be directed specifically to the most vulnerable in Ukraine.
The £2.5bn in question stems from Chelsea’s sale to a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, but its release requires Abramovich’s approval — which has yet to be granted.
With both sides holding firm, the dispute is now heading toward a high-stakes legal battle that could determine the fate of one of the largest financial pledges linked to the war in Ukraine.
