Chelsea FC’s Russian-Israeli billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich responds to Ukrainian officials’ appeal for assistance in facilitating negotiations with Russia.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich is in Belarus at the invitation of Ukraine, engaging in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the ongoing conflict.
The Ukrainians have asked Abramovich to assist in facilitating the talks, and he has traveled to Belarus to take part in the meetings.
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On Sunday, Russian and Ukrainian delegations arrived in the Belarusian border town of Gomel to begin talks aimed at ending the bloodshed in Ukraine. Abramovich has strong ties to Ukraine’s and Russia’s Jewish communities.
Yevgen Kornichuk, Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, declined to comment on Abramovich’s role in the discussions, but stated that “we appreciate anyone who can help, if he has enough influence.”
Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has come under pressure in London following accusations of his former relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In parliament, there have been increasing calls for him to be sanctioned. However, on Sunday, he chose to hand up Chelsea’s “stewardship” to the club’s charitable foundation’s trustees.
