Date published: Monday 28th February 2022 7:12 – Will Ford
Labour MP Chris Bryant has labelled claims that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is attempting to broker peace Russia and Ukraine as ‘another Russian lie’.
Bryant called on the government to seize the oligarch’s assets last week, including Chelsea football club, as part of its sanctions against Russia.
READ MORE: Kepa for Mendy and other disastrous substitution backfires
It led Abramovich to hand ‘stewardship’ of the club to Chelsea’s charitable Foundation, but the trustees are yet to agree as they have ‘major unanswered questions’ and want to avoid ‘being seen as a front’.
It has since been reported that Abramovich is attempting to broker peace following Vladimir Putin’s invasion after Ukraine reached out to him.
“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,” Abramovich’s spokesperson told the PA news agency.
“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.”
But Bryant has questioned how Abramovich hopes to influence Putin if, as he has insisted, he is not closely connected to the Russian president.
Bryant posted on Twitter: ‘This looks like another Russian lie in an attempt to avoid being sanctioned.
‘If he’s so close to Putin that he can wield such influence, if he’s visited Putin this last week, he should be sanctioned now.
‘Really? Doesn’t peace just mean Russia withdraws?’
This looks like another Russian lie in an attempt to avoid being sanctioned. If he’s so close to Putin that he can wield such influence, if he’s visited Putin this last week, he should be sanctioned now. https://t.co/opJyygXZkM
— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) February 28, 2022
Meanwhile, Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky has revealed that Abramovich “has been trying to mobilise support” for peace talks despite his “limited” influence.
“I can confirm that the Ukrainian side have been trying to find someone in Russian willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution,” said Rodnyansky.
“They are connected to Mr Abramovich through the Jewish community and reached out to him for help. Mr Abramovich has been trying to mobilise support for a peaceful resolution ever since.
“Although Mr 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.”