Lawyers for Roman Abramovich are intensifying the legal battle over the £2.5 billion resulting from the sale of Chelsea, firmly asserting that the amount belongs entirely to him. In an increasingly tense scenario between the Russian oligarch and the British government, Abramovich’s legal team does not hesitate to point the finger at ministers, arguing that they are responsible for the delays in releasing funds intended for Ukrainian war victims.
In a strongly worded letter, the lawyers emphasize that the former Chelsea owner has always intended to make the donation, a gesture that would become possible once his frozen assets are released. However, this statement provoked a furious reaction from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Yvette Cooper, who did not hold back in telling The Independent: “It is time for Roman Abramovich to do the right thing, but if he does not, we will act.”
These exchanges occur in a context of growing pressure, with a response deadline set for March 17. Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, had already threatened legal action last December, seeking to force Abramovich to hand over the money he received from the sale of the club, with the aim of helping to pay compensation to Ukrainians affected by the war. The Prime Minister, in a statement to Parliament, was clear: “My message to Abramovich is unequivocal: the clock is ticking.”
Ministers of high rank, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, have underscored the urgency of the situation, deeming it “unacceptable” that more than £2.5 billion, which should be delivered to the Ukrainian people, remains frozen in a bank account in the UK. A notification was sent to the Russian billionaire by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) on December 17, 2025, demanding the release of the funds.
The legal representatives of Abramovich, Kobre and Kim, expressed their position in a pointed letter, holding the British government responsible for the current situation. They stated: “Mr. Abramovich has sought to advance the donation in accordance with the framework agreed upon at the time of the transaction, which was recorded in a Formal Agreement expressly approved by the British government. During the limited interactions with UK authorities, Mr. Abramovich has consistently sought to resolve the complex legal issues that prevent the donation from proceeding, in order to advance his stated intention to donate the proceeds to charity.”
The lawyers emphasized that, although the funds are currently frozen, they still belong to Fordstam Limited, a company wholly owned by Abramovich. The proposal to donate these proceeds was initiated by Abramovich himself before the imposition of sanctions, and he remains fully committed to ensuring that the funds are used for charitable purposes. The dispute is far from resolved, and the outcome of this legal drama may have significant implications not only for Abramovich but also for the victims who are eagerly awaiting assistance.
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