Keir Starmer tells Roman Abramovich to ‘pay up now’ or face court | BBC News

The UK prime minister has said Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich must "pay up now" to victims of the war in Ukraine or face court action.

Mr Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea Football Club, pledged in 2022 that the £2.5bn he made from the sale of the club would be used to benefit victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

But there has been a delay in releasing the funds, which are currently frozen in a British bank account, due to a standoff over how exactly they should be used.

Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons on Wednesday: "My message to Abramovich is clear: the clock is ticking."

The government wants the money to be used for humanitarian aid, but Mr Abramovich insisted it should be used for "all victims of the war" – meaning that Russians could also benefit.

Mr Abramovich’s representatives declined to comment.

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