Overview
- The government has written to Roman Abramovich’s lawyers and says it is taking further steps to enforce his 2022 pledge regarding the Chelsea sale funds.
- The money remains frozen in Fordstam Ltd, with Abramovich’s legal team arguing there is no legal basis for the government’s threats and asserting the funds belong to Fordstam.
- Ministers insist the proceeds must be spent exclusively in Ukraine to prevent any benefit to Russia, while Abramovich has advocated support for all victims of the war, a stance backed by groups including Save the Children.
- Recently published Fordstam accounts indicate only about £987m may be available for charity after repaying interest‑free loans and costs, rather than the full headline sum.
- Opposition Conservatives have urged the Labour government to act quickly to unlock more than £2bn for humanitarian relief in Ukraine following the missed March 17 deadline.