UK lawmaker slams Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich over peace talks

Labour MP, Chris Bryant has slammed claims that Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich is trying to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Recall that Abramovich is trying to broker a deal to end the war in Ukraine amid global rage over Russia’s invasion.

Abramovich is believed to have flown into Belarus on Monday, ahead of crunch talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials.

“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,” Abramovich’s spokesperson told the PA news agency.

But Bryant has questioned how Abramovich could be of any influence in negotiations between the two nations if the billionaire is adamant that he is not closely connected to Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

In response to the news, Bryant posted on Twitter on Monday: “This looks like another Russian lie in an attempt to avoid being sanctioned.

“If he’s so close to Putin that he can wield such influence, if he visited Putin this last week, he should be sanctioned now.

“Really? Doesn’t peace just mean Russia withdraws?”