Businessman, politician, owner of a multi-titled football club (Chelsea) and now peace negotiator. The Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich is, according to the Israeli media the Jerusalem Post, currently in Gomel in Belarus to participate in ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia.
“I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in finding a peaceful solution, and has been trying to help ever since,” Chelsea club spokesman Abramovich said. is still the owner. Given what is at stake, we ask you to understand why we have not commented on either the situation as such or its implication. »
If Abramovich refrained from commenting on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, one of his daughters, Sofia, declared herself, on her Instagram account, against Vladimir Putin and the war. The Chelsea club posted a message saying they were “praying for peace”. The contemporary Garage museum in Moscow, which he co-owns with his ex-wife Dasha Zhukova, has announced its closure “until the human and political tragedy unfolding in Ukraine ceases”.
A “limited” influence
The request to intervene came from Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky. The latter, a film producer and, above all, close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, explained to the Israeli newspaper that he had asked Roman Abramovich at the request of Ukraine. “The government wanted to find a Russian willing to help for peace. Roman responded favorably to this call, ”he assures.
Even if his spokesperson considers that Abramovich would have a “limited” influence, his past and his peaceful relations with Vladimir Putin can be used to start negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Roman Abramovich, whose maternal line is from Kiev, announced last week to take a step back by handing over the management of his club to his charitable foundation.
