Russia Invasion: Ukraine Contacts Abramovich Over Peace Talks

The Ukrainian Government has reportedly contacted Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich to help persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw troops from the country.

In a chat with PA news agency, a spokesperson for the Chelsea owner said his principal is looking for ways to broker peace between his country and Ukraine.

The spokesperson said the billionaire businessman is actually attempting to orchestrate a peace deal after Ukraine reached out to him via his Jewish contacts within the country.

“I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution and that he has been trying to help ever since.

“Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the government of Russia has banned foreign exchange loans and transfers by Russian residents.

The government announced its decision on Monday which is in response to economic sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West.

The Russian president also signed into law a bill ordering all exporting companies to sell 80 per cent of their foreign exchange earnings made since 1 January on the market.

This new move is coming after Foreign secretary Liz Truss announced that Britain was set to lock Russia’s Sberbank out of the sterling clearing and slap sanctions on three other banks.

The UK government has also advised residents against travelling to Russia and ordered its ports to ban any vessels that are Russian as it increased pressure on Moscow.