Despite the failure of diplomatic efforts so far to reduce the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, on Monday, the Russian businessman and owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman, entered the line of mediation. Abramovich.
A spokeswoman made it clear that he had agreed to help negotiate an end to the conflict, at the request of a Ukrainian.
She said that the Ukrainian side contacted Abramovich to get his support in reaching a peaceful solution, noting that it has been trying to help since then.
Leave the club
And Abramovich, one of the most powerful Russian businessmen, announced last Saturday that the Chelsea Charity Board of Trustees would be responsible for managing the club, amid growing calls for the British government to confiscate the club’s ownership in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch a military operation in Ukraine.
He also added that the foundation was “in the best position to manage the interests” of the club.
Roman Abramovich (AP)
Neither Abramovich nor Chelsea have disclosed why management responsibility has been given to the charity.
Wealthy businessman
Abramovich is a Jew and holds Israeli citizenship. He is among the most powerful businessmen who amassed a huge fortune following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and recently obtained Portuguese citizenship.
The British newspaper, “Jewish News”, was the first to report that he played a role in the talks, and said that Ukraine had contacted him through Jewish personalities to ask for his help in the pursuit of peace.
Roman Abramovich (AP)
But it was not immediately clear what role Abramovich might play in the talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials, which began Monday on the Belarus border.
Earlier, the Ukrainian president’s office said that his country’s goal in the talks is to reach an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. The Kremlin did not explicitly state what its purpose for the talks was.
