The Kremlin has confirmed outgoing Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was involved in early peace talks following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into the neighbouring country in late February, starting a bloody conflict which has been condemned by the vast majority of countries around the world. The war in Ukraine led to heightened scrutiny of Russians living in the United Kingdom on so-called 'Golden Visas'.
Abramovich was one such oligarch with assets worth billions in the UK, so claims he was playing a part in initial peace negotiations were met with surprise. Those reports were not backed up by Russian government officials at the time but a Kremlin spokesperson has now confirmed the 55-year-old was involved.
"He did take part at the initial stage," Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, said of Abramovich on Thursday. "Now the negotiations are between the two teams, the Russians and Ukrainians." Abramovich's mother, Irina, was born in Ukraine and his daughter, Sofia, has posted on social media to declare it is only Putin who "wants a war with Ukraine".
A spokesperson for the Chelsea owner - who bought the club in 2003 and is now selling up - released a statement four days after Putin's invasion which said: "I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution, and that he has been trying to help ever since.
"Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement. Thank you." Abramovich's role in the early peace talks was also confirmed by Ukrainian film director and producer Alexander Rodnyansky, who said: "I can confirm that the Ukrainian side have been trying to find someone in Russia willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution
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"They are connected to Roman Abramovich through the Jewish community and reached out to him for help. Roman Abramovich has been trying to mobilise support for a peaceful resolution ever since. Although Roman Abramovich's influence is limited, he is the only one who responded and taken it upon himself to try. If this will have an impact or not, I don't know, but I am in contact with Zelensky's staff myself, and know that they are grateful for his genuine efforts."
However, doubt was cast over how "genuine" Abramovich's efforts actually were in the House of Commons by Labour MP Chris Bryant, who asked: "Doesn't peace just mean Russia withdraws?" Bryant also called for Abramovich to be sanctioned and his assets frozen, which duly occurred in March.
