Foreign Secretary insists Chelsea sale funds must go to Ukraine or face legal enforcement
The UK government has issued a final warning to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, insisting that £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea Football Club must be released for humanitarian aid in Ukraine or face court action.
The funds have remained frozen in a UK bank account since Abramovich sold Chelsea in 2022 after being sanctioned following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the time of the sale, Abramovich pledged that the proceeds would be used to help victims of the war. More than three years on, that money has still not reached those it was intended to support.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government’s position was now clear and uncompromising. She stated that the money must be directed to humanitarian assistance for Ukraine and that further delays were no longer acceptable. According to ministers, the government has exhausted efforts to resolve the issue through negotiation.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reinforced that stance in Parliament, warning that legal action would follow if Abramovich failed to honour his commitment. He said the government had issued a licence allowing the funds to be transferred into a charitable foundation specifically designed to deliver aid to Ukrainians affected by the conflict.
Starmer told MPs that the government was prepared to go to court to ensure the money reached those suffering as a result of the war. He described the delay as morally indefensible, arguing that the funds were urgently needed as the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine continued.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe dispute centres on how the money should be distributed. The government has made it clear that the £2.5 billion must be used exclusively for humanitarian purposes in Ukraine. Abramovich’s representatives have previously raised objections, reportedly arguing for a broader interpretation that would allow the funds to support victims beyond Ukraine. That disagreement has been a key factor in the prolonged stalemate.
Under the terms set out by the UK authorities, neither Abramovich nor any other sanctioned individual can benefit from the money. The charitable foundation created to manage the funds would operate independently, with strict safeguards to ensure compliance with sanctions law.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the continued freeze as unacceptable, saying the money had been sitting idle for far too long while civilians in Ukraine faced ongoing hardship. She said the government’s priority was to break the deadlock and ensure the funds were put to use without further delay.
The case has drawn wider attention as governments across Europe debate how frozen Russian assets should be handled. The UK’s approach is being closely watched, as a court battle could establish an important precedent for enforcing sanctions and redirecting frozen wealth toward humanitarian causes.
Legal experts suggest that if the case proceeds to court, it could take months or even years to resolve. However, ministers insist they are prepared to pursue every available legal route to secure the funds.
For now, the government’s message is stark. Abramovich has been given a final opportunity to comply voluntarily. If he does not, the UK has signalled it will escalate the matter through the courts, turning a long-running dispute into a landmark legal confrontation over frozen assets and wartime responsibility.
As the deadline approaches, pressure continues to mount on the former Chelsea owner to act. Whether the funds are finally released or become the centre of a drawn-out legal battle, the outcome is likely to have lasting implications for how sanctioned wealth is treated in times of international conflict.
