Abramovich is taking part in peace negotiations.
The Kremlin has confirmed that Roman Abramovich has taken part in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations, amid media reports that the Russian billionaire had emerged as an interlocutor in facilitating possible peace talks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Abramovich “took part in the initial phase of negotiations and that this is true.”
Pushed further, Peskov gave few details, but added that “Now negotiations are continuing between the two negotiating teams – Russian and Ukrainian.”
Peskov was responding to a question about an article reporting that US President Joe Biden’s administration imposed sanctions on English club owner Chelsea at the instigation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the oligarch’s role in the possible negotiations for peace.
Peskov did not provide any additional information.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has personally endorsed Abramovich’s possible role in the talks, citing two unidentified individuals with direct knowledge of the issue.
It is unclear what role Abramovich is playing at this stage in possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.