Roman Abramovich. Marc Atkins/Getty Images
A new Wall Street Journal report claims that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged President Biden to hold off on imposing sanctions on Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich if he proves to be a key “mediator” in Kyiv-Moscow peace talks.
Apparently earlier this month the US Treasury Department had drawn up a series of sanctions to punish Abramovich, also owner of Britain’s Chelsea Football Club. But when it came time to announce the measures “which were to be enacted alongside the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and the European Union,” the Treasury was asked not to do so for the time being, the Journal writes.
As for why, well, apparently, during a consultation between the two world leaders, Zelensky himself asked Biden to wait in case Abramovich was able to help Ukraine’s cause.
The White House and Zelensky’s office declined to comment.
“It is not helpful for the negotiations, and in the interest of their success, to comment on the process or Mr. Abramovich’s involvement,” added a spokesman for the oligarch, adding that “he has done everything possible to support the effort sought so.” to restore peace as quickly as possible.”
Several British and European officials said they were unaware of such a request from Zelenskyy, and several Ukrainian and Western government officials were “skeptical about how deeply Mr. Abramovich is involved in the peace talks,” writes the Journal.
The delay is certainly “an unexpected twist” in the US sanctions strategy.
In the past, Abramovich has often denied having any close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read more in the Wall Street Journal.
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