Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has urged the US President, Joe Biden, not to impose sanctions on Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, as he may be a useful intermediary in peace talks amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the Mirror reports.
Recall that the UK government has since imposed strict measures on Abramovich, including seizing Chelsea, due to his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But Biden has now resisted pressure to target Abramovich, specifically following a call from Zelensky after his consultation with the Ukraine leader on a range of sanctions, including plans for the Russian billionaire.
Abramovich has answered a call from Zelensky’s aides to help broker peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, a development which still saw the UK government seize his British assets, including Chelsea, in contrast to the US’s actions.
The report added that the White House has reportedly persuaded the US Treasury Department not to go ahead with plans to target Abramovich and his businesses.
The development explains why Abramovich has avoided US sanctions despite the UK and European Union hitting the 55-year-old with travel bans and asset freezes.
