UK Officials Threaten Legal Action Over £2.5bn Frozen Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine

The UK government, led by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, is prepared to take legal action against Roman Abramovich to access the £2.5 billion proceeds from his sale of Chelsea Football Club for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Abramovich, sanctioned due to his ties with Vladimir Putin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, sold Chelsea in 2022, but the funds remain frozen in a UK bank account amid a deadlock over how the money should be used. The government insists the money be used exclusively for Ukraine's war victims, while Abramovich advocates for distribution to all victims of the war, including Russians. Despite negotiations starting in March, no agreement has been reached, prompting frustration from UK officials who have kept the door open for talks but are ready to proceed through the courts if necessary. The funds cannot be moved without permission from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, adding complexity to the situation. Campaigners and political figures have expressed bafflement and concern over the prolonged delay in deploying the pledged humanitarian aid.