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

In December 2025, the UK government issued a final warning to Roman Abramovich, demanding he release £2.5 billion ($3.33bn) from the 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club to Ukrainian humanitarian causes. Abramovich was sanctioned in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, freezing the sale proceeds. The UK insists the funds be used solely for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, aligning with broader European efforts to have Moscow pay for the war's devastation. Abramovich has 90 days to act under a new government license or face legal action to enforce the original 2022 agreement. The government is prepared to take Abramovich to court if he fails to release the funds, which are currently frozen in a UK bank account.

The UK government has issued a final warning to Roman Abramovich, demanding he transfer £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea FC to a Ukraine humanitarian fund within 90 days or face legal action. Abramovich sold the club in 2022 under government pressure following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the proceeds intended for war victims. The funds are currently frozen in a UK bank account due to disagreements over whether the money should be exclusively spent in Ukraine or distributed more broadly. The government insists Abramovich must establish the foundation and arrange the transfer according to the license terms, while Abramovich wants Russians to also benefit from the proceeds. The move comes as EU leaders are urged to use frozen Russian assets to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan.

Keir Starmer and the UK government are pressuring Roman Abramovich to release the £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea Football Club, which has been frozen in a British bank account since 2022. Abramovich had pledged the funds to victims of the war in Ukraine, but a dispute arose over whether the money should benefit only Ukrainians or all victims, including Russians. The government insists the money be used for humanitarian aid in Ukraine, as per the license issued for the transfer. Starmer has warned Abramovich to "pay up now" or face court action to ensure the funds reach Ukrainian victims of the war. The government has threatened legal action since June and is prepared to sue Abramovich if he doesn't honor his commitment.