UK prepares to unlock $3bn from Chelsea sale for Ukraine, - Lammy
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has promised to take steps to release 2.3 billion pounds ($3 billion) received from the sale of "Chelsea" football club by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich to help Ukraine.
He said this in an interview with the Financial Times, Censor.NET reports.
The funds received from the sale of "Chelsea" in May 2022 have remained blocked in a special trust account for more than two years. The British government wants to use these funds to support Ukraine, but negotiations on their use have been delayed.
"I'm disappointed that it hasn't happened, that's the truth - and that the money needs to be distributed, it needs to be used," Lammy said.
The minister stressed that he is taking an ‘action-oriented approach’ to resolve the situation, and while going to court would take time, it is an option under consideration. Another way is to conclude an agreement with a fund that will manage the funds.
At the same time, Lammy acknowledged the legal difficulties, but assured: "I am determined to see this money get out the door and I will do everything in my power to make that happen."
The UK government insists that the money should be spent exclusively within Ukraine. Instead, the controversial foundation, which includes former UNICEF UK Executive Director Mike Penrose, insists on flexibility to support Ukrainian refugees abroad.
What preceded it?
As a reminder, Abramovich sold "Chelsea" Football Club in May 2022 for $5.4 billion. He intends to donate part of the money to help Ukrainians.
Earlier it was reported that the EU and the UK are arguing over how this money should be used to help Ukraine.
The House of Lords Committee of the British Parliament has since called on the government to urgently unfreeze the £2.5bn received from the sale of the "Chelsea" football club by Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich, which was to be spent on helping Ukrainians.
