Labour MP Chris Bryant has hit out at claims that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is trying to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Last week, Bryant called on the UK Government to seize the Russian-born billionaire’s assets, including Chelsea which he has owned since 2003, as part of its sanctions against Russia.
Over the weekend, Abramovich announced that he is giving up his ‘stewardship and care’ of Chelsea, although the day-to-day running of the club will remain unchanged.
It has now claimed that Abramovich is attempting to broker a peace deal following Russia’s invasion after Ukraine reached out to him via his Jewish contacts within the country.
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‘I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution, and that he has been trying to help ever since,’ Abramovich’s spokesperson told the PA news agency.
‘Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement.’
But Bryant has questioned how Abramovich could be of any influence in negotiations between the two nations if Chelsea’s owner is adamant that he is not closely connected to Vladimir Putin.
In response to the news, Bryant posted on Twitter: ‘This looks like another Russian lie in an attempt to avoid being sanctioned.
‘If he’s so close to Putin that he can wield such influence, if he’s visited Putin this last week, he should be sanctioned now.
‘Really? Doesn’t peace just mean Russia withdraws?’
Meanwhile, Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky has revealed that Abramovich ‘has been trying to mobilise support’ for peace talks but says 55-year-old’s influence is ‘limited’.
‘I can confirm that the Ukrainian side have been trying to find someone in Russian willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution,’ said Rodnyansky.
‘They are connected to Mr Abramovich through the Jewish community and reached out to him for help. Mr Abramovich has been trying to mobilise support for a peaceful resolution ever since.
‘Although Mr Abramovich’s influence is limited, he is the only one who responded and taken it upon himself to try.
‘If this will have an impact or not, I don’t know, but I am in contact with Zelensky’s staff myself, and know that they are grateful for his genuine efforts.’
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