UK warns Abramovich to give Chelsea sale cash to Ukraine or face court

UK warns Abramovich to give Chelsea sale cash to Ukraine or face courtUK government warns Roman Abramovich of last chance to give Chelsea sale proceeds to victims of Russia’s war in Ukraine.Published On 17 Dec 2025The United Kingdom on Wednesday said it was giving Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich a final chance to give Ukraine 2.5 billion pounds ($3.33bn) from the sale of Chelsea Football Club or face potential legal action.The UK sanctioned Abramovich in a crackdown on Russian oligarchs after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, triggering a rushed sale of the Premier League football club and freezing of the proceeds.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua: All to know before their heavyweight boxing fightlist 2 of 4‘False allegations’: Superstar Ilia Topuria explains absence from UFC 324list 3 of 4Photos: Angry fans vandalise India stadium after Messi’s early departurelist 4 of 4Ongoing Taliban-Olympic talks hope to prompt Afghan women’s rights U-turnend of listThe UK wants the funds spent only on humanitarian causes in Ukraine, in line with a wider European push for Moscow to foot the bill for deaths and destruction triggered by its invasion.Reuters was not immediately able to reach representatives for Abramovich for a response to the government statement. He has previously sought more flexibility and said he wants the money to go to all victims. Abramovich has 90 days to act under the terms of the government’s new licence.Should the Russian businessman fail to free the funds quickly, the government said in a statement that it was fully prepared to take him to court if necessary to enforce a 2022 agreement with him.“It’s unacceptable that more than 2.5 billion pounds [$3.33 bn] of money owed to the Ukrainian people can be allowed to remain frozen in a UK bank account,” Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said in the statement.Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK would issue a licence to release the funds. This would allow the transfer of the money to a new charitable foundation.“We will consider any proposal from Mr Abramovich to make use of this clear legal route to establish the foundation and transfer the funds under the terms of the licence,” Reeves said in a separate statement issued to parliament.