Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared that the British government is ready to pursue legal action against former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich. The aim is to seize the £2.5 billion generated from the sale of the football club and redirect the funds to support Ukraine.
Unprecedented Move to Redirect Frozen Assets
The announcement, made on Wednesday the 17th of December 2025, marks a significant escalation in the UK's efforts to utilise frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian reconstruction. The funds from the 2022 sale of Chelsea have been held in a frozen UK bank account since Abramovich, who had ties to the Kremlin, was sanctioned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Sir Keir stated that the government is prepared to initiate formal proceedings to legally confiscate the massive sum. This move goes beyond simply maintaining the freeze on the assets, actively seeking to transfer ownership to the UK state for the express purpose of aiding Ukraine.
The Complex Path from Stamford Bridge to Kyiv
The sale of Chelsea FC was a complex process overseen by the UK government after Abramovich was disqualified as a director. The proceeds were intended to be donated to a charitable foundation for victims of the war in Ukraine, but the legal structure and dispersal of the funds have been mired in delays and complications for years.
The Prime Minister's intervention signals a decisive shift in policy. The government now believes it has a strong legal basis to take control of the money directly, arguing it can be repurposed as part of wider sanctions enforcement and reparations for the war-torn nation.
Political and Legal Implications
This bold stance is likely to face significant legal challenges from Abramovich's representatives. Any court case would set a major precedent for the seizure of private assets under UK sanctions law and could influence similar actions being considered by other Western allies.
Politically, the move reinforces the Labour government's commitment to supporting Ukraine "for as long as it takes." It also represents a clear fulfilment of prior pledges to ensure Russian oligarchs linked to the Putin regime bear the financial cost of the conflict.
The final decision on whether to proceed with litigation is expected in the coming weeks, with government lawyers reportedly finalising their case. If successful, the £2.5 billion would constitute one of the largest single transfers of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine by any nation.
