Monday, February 28, 2022 at 12:52 pm• Jordi Tomasowa • Last update: 13:04

Roman Abramovich is currently in Belarus to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Chelsea’s wealthy owner is set to attempt a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, a Chelsea spokesman said. Abramovich himself is currently under heavy fire in the UK for his alleged ties to Vladimir Putin.

According to the Jerusalem Post Abramovich is in Belarus to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, confirmed by a Chelsea spokesman. “Roman Abramovich has been approached by Ukraine for reaching a peaceful solution. He is open to that and has been trying to help ever since.” Abramovich’s involvement followed a request from Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky.

“Ukraine is connected to Roman Abramovich through the Jewish community and have asked him for help,” Rodnyansky said. “Abramovich has been trying to gain support for a peaceful solution ever since. While Abramovich’s influence is limited, he’s the only one who has responded and taken it upon himself to try. Whether this will have any effect or not, I don’t know, but I myself am in contact with the staff of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and know that they are grateful to him for his sincere efforts.”

Abramovich is under pressure to speak out against Putin and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The British parliament has called for sanctions on the billionaire as a key oligarch and for his alleged ties to the Russian government. Abramovich has always denied any ties to Putin. Abramovich made a statement through Chelsea’s official club channels on Saturday that he was monitoring the the Blues hands over. The owner announced that he will give ‘trust persons within The Chelsea Foundation’ the direction of the club. However, there is no clear statement in which Abramovich says he will step down as club owner, so the question is how much he will remain involved with Chelsea.