Britain and the EU engaged in a fight over Abramovich's money
Elena Panina (Елена Панина) | The £2.3 billion from the sale of the Chelsea soccer club promised to "victims of the war in Ukraine" is in limbo because of the European Union's demands on how exactly the money should be spent, the British press complains. The EU insists that the money should go directly to Kiev and not to those "affected by the conflict." That was the wording, according to sources, in the agreement between Roman Abramovich and the British government. ■ The logic here is simple. Sufferers can be financed from within the government - by paying them from the budget for housing, medical insurance, employment advice, kickbacks, etc. Moreover, Britain historically does not like to give away what it has gained by robbery. Spending money in Ukraine would put the EU in an advantageous position. In this case, the money can go for the purchase of equipment, building materials, consultations, and kickbacks, which cannot be controlled in London. So a not inconsiderable sum is lying unused on a frozen account for the second year in a row. Which also benefits Britain - the interest is coming in. ■ And Russian business was warned: you'll be swallowing dust. Neither investing in British soccer nor demonstratively donating Apple to the Nazis will help in such matters. In short, Abramovich will never see this money again - and neither will Ukraine. British tradition is a strong thing. (Translation with: DeepL.com)
■ Abramovich's £2.3bn from Chelsea sale is still frozen in UK bank - because of the EU (The Express)