British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich that “the clock is ticking” over £2.5 billion frozen from the club’s sale, earmarked to assist victims of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Speaking in parliament, Starmer said Abramovich must honour his pledge or face court action. “Honour the commitment you made and pay up now, and if you don’t, we are prepared to go to court so every penny reaches those whose lives have been torn apart by Putin’s illegal war,” he said.
The UK government said it is issuing a licence to transfer the funds, frozen since the 2022 sale of Chelsea. While ministers want the money directed to humanitarian aid in Ukraine, Abramovich has argued it should support all victims of the conflict, including those in Russia.