UK Lawmakers Frustrated as Abramovich’s Frozen Chelsea Funds Await Use for Ukraine

UK lawmakers expressed frustration over the delay in using the funds from the sale of Chelsea football club to support Ukrainian war victims, as promised by former owner Roman Abramovich nearly two years ago. The Russian billionaire, sanctioned by the UK government for supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, pledged £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) from the sale for war victims.

However, disagreements with the UK government on how the funds should be spent have kept the money frozen. Lawmakers find the delay baffling and criticize both Abramovich and the government. The stalemate highlights challenges in using frozen assets for humanitarian purposes, even when pledged by the owner.