BRITISH Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday warned former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, saying, "the clock is ticking" regarding the £2.5 billion that has been frozen from the sale of the club. This money is meant to support people affected by Putin's illegal war in Ukraine.
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Speaking in parliament, Starmer told Abramovich: "You made a promise, so pay up now.
If you don't, we’re ready to take legal action to make sure every penny gets to those whose lives have been ruined by the war."
In June, UK ministers said they were frustrated that an agreement hadn't been reached with Abramovich about how the funds from the May 2022 sale should be used.
The UK government wants the money to go towards helping people in Ukraine, but Abramovich insists it should also be used to support victims of the war in Russia.
A group led by US businessman Todd Boehly bought Chelsea after Abramovich was sanctioned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The frozen money is currently held in a UK bank account.