EXCLUSIVE: Roman Abramovich accepts Ukraine’s offer to help negotiate peace

Ukraine reached out to the Russian billionaire and Chelsea FC owner over the weekend through his Jewish contacts in Ukraine. Peace negotiations are now taking place.

By Richard Ferrer
  • Richard Ferrer has been editor of Jewish News since 2009. As one of Britain's leading Jewish voices he writes for The Times, Independent, New Statesman and many other titles. Richard previously worked at the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, edited the Boston Jewish Advocate and created the Channel 4 TV series Jewish Mum Of The Year.
 28 February 2022, 10:30 am
Roman Abramovich (JTA)

Roman Abramovich has accepted an offer from Ukraine to help negotiate a “peaceful resolution” to the Russian invasion, Jewish News can reveal.

A spokesperson for the billionaire and Chelsea Football Club owner confirmed on Monday morning that Ukraine had reached out to Abramovich over the weekend through his Jewish contacts in the country.

The spokesperson told Jewish News: “I can confirm 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 understanding as to why we have not commented on either the situation as such or his involvement.”

Abramovich and Chelsea Football Club have been criticised in recent days for not explicitly condemning the Russian invasion.

Demonstration against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in front of an Israeli government building in Tel Aviv.

Jewish News can also reveal that Russian film director and businessman Alexander Rodnyansky was one of the key facilitators in Abramovich’s involvement in peace talks. He said: “I can confirm that the Ukrainian side have been trying to find someone in Russian willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution. 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.”

Peace negotiations are currently being held at the border of Ukraine and Belarus.

Abramovich stepped back from the day-to-day running of Chelsea on Saturday night. He will retain ownership of Chelsea but has handed all decision making to the west London club’s charitable foundation trustees.

Read more: 

read more:
comments