The British government announced sanctions against Roman Abramovich and six other Russian oligarchs with links to the Kremlin.
The sanctions include an asset freeze, a ban on dealing with British individuals and businesses, a ban on entering or staying in the UK, and a ban on flying over the country in private or chartered aircraft.
Roman Abramovich is subject to sanctions because of his "close personal relationship" with Vladimir Putin over decades, which has resulted in "preferential treatment" from the Kremlin and financial benefits such as tax breaks for his companies, buying and selling shareholders at favourable prices and contracts ahead of the World Cup in Russia in 2028.
The government notes that Mr. Abramovich is one of the few oligarchs since the 1990s who has maintained a prominent position in Putin's circle.
He is reported to own shares in the steel giant Evraz and the nickel mining company Norilsk, and in 2005 he sold 73% of the shareholders he held in the oil company Sibneft to state-owned Gazprom for nearly £10 billion. His fortune is estimated by the British government at £9.4 billion.
Special mention is made of the announcement of sanctions on Chelsea's ownership by Roman Abramovich. As noted, given the significant impact that the current sanctions would have on the popular London football club, the government has issued a licence allowing the club's football-related activities to continue
Thus, Chelsea matches are allowed to go ahead, but only in the presence of season ticket holders. The club can pay salaries to footballers and technical staff, cover travel expenses for matches and pay managers, security, catering and ground maintenance staff.
This means that the intended sale of Chelsea cannot proceed under Roman Abramovich, but only with special government permission and without him reaping the financial benefit.
In addition to Roman Abramovich, the name of Oleg Deripaska of the large mining and energy company En+, parent company of UC Russo, one of the largest aluminium producers, also stands out from the list of new sanctions. Mr. Deripaska is known for his multiple financial interests in Britain and his connections with British politicians.
The list also includes CEO of state oil company Rosneft Igor Shechin, as well as VTB Bank Chairman Andrei Kostin, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, Chairman of state pipeline company Transneft Nikolai Tokarev and Rossiya Bank Chairman Dmitry Lebedev.
In total, the British government has now announced sanctions against some 20 top Russian oligarchs.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that "there can be no safe haven for those who have supported Putin's savage attack on Ukraine."
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss added that these "oligarchs and kleptocrats" have no place in the British economy and society as "the blood of Ukrainian citizens is on their hands."
The British government stresses that it is the first to impose sanctions against Roman Abramovich, an iconic figure among so-called Russian oligarchs.
Source: CNA
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