Zelenskyy proposes using Russian oligarch Abramovich's funds to strengthen Ukraine's air defence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he discussed the £2.4 billion generated by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich's sale of Chelsea Football Club with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, suggesting the funds could be used to strengthen Ukraine's air defences.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with The Guardian

Details: Zelenskyy said he had discussed with Starmer the future of the £2.4 billion raised from the sale of the club, which the UK government intends to allocate to humanitarian needs in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president argued that transferring the proceeds to Ukraine could help finance air defence systems capable of intercepting the Russian missiles which frequently target the country's energy infrastructure.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "The prime minister told me that he's trying his best, and I know that our diplomatic teams speak about it, and of course, it's a difficult moment."

Details: According to Zelenskyy, the funds could help Ukraine purchase additional missile defence systems from the US.

"They are very expensive, and of course this money can help, and it's fair between us. So Russia began this war. Why not use Russian money?" Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy also joked that Abramovich had not brought the money with him when they met in Kyiv last month.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "He didn't bring this money. I said: 'We need your money.'"

More details: Zelenskyy stressed the importance of continued allied investment in their own defence and said Ukraine was ready to share with its partners the technological and military expertise it had gained during the war.

He also said he had asked Starmer and other allies for additional assistance in "closing the sky" against Russian attacks, as well as financial support to transition Ukrainian troops to professional contracts instead of relying on conscription.

After the UK assured Kyiv that its new sanctions policy towards Russia – which allows the temporary import of Russian oil and aviation fuel through third countries – does not weaken existing restrictions, Zelenskyy said he would "of course" like to see greater alignment between the positions of the UK and Europe on the issue.

Nevertheless, he welcomed Britain's sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet and said Ukraine needed additional sanctions against Moscow as soon as possible to deter Russian ruler Vladimir Putin from escalating military attacks with the aim of "fighting to the end" in the war against Ukraine.

Background:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had met with Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and told him that he was ready to meet Russian ruler Vladimir Putin in any format and that Ukraine would not withdraw its troops from Donbas.
• According to the Financial Times, Zelenskyy used Abramovich in May to convey a message to Putin proposing a meeting.
• In an open letter published on 4 June, Zelenskyy proposed that Putin agree on a date for a meeting to bring the war to an end. He also called for Europe and the US to be involved in Russia–Ukraine negotiations.
• On 5 June, Putin said he had read Zelenskyy's open letter but saw no point in holding such a meeting. The Russian leader also claimed that Zelenskyy had requested a meeting through one of Russia's businessmen.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!