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“Why Not Use Russian Money?”: Zelenskyy Discusses Using Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine’s Air Defense
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he discussed with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer the potential use of funds generated from the sale of Chelsea Football Club, previously owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
In an interview with The Guardian on June 8, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is interested in directing the proceeds toward strengthening its defense capabilities, including the purchase of air and missile defense systems.
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The president noted that such systems are highly expensive and could be acquired, among other mechanisms, under the PURL programme.
“The prime minister told me that he’s trying his best, and I know that our diplomatic teams speak about it, and of course, it’s difficult moment. We need more security, and we are trying, through the PURL programme, to buy antiballistic missiles from the United States,” he said. “They are very expensive, and of course this money can help, and it’s fair between us. So Russia began this war. Why not use Russian money?”
Following the sale of Chelsea, the UK government earmarked £2.4 billion (around $3.2 billion) to support Ukraine. The funds were initially intended for humanitarian purposes.
However, the money has not yet been transferred amid ongoing disputes over the conditions for its use. According to The Guardian, the British side is considering legal action if the issue is not resolved.
Abramovich and Chelsea sale background
Roman Abramovich, whose wealth is estimated at over $8 billion, sold the London football club in May 2022 to a consortium headed by US investor Todd Boehly. The transaction came after the United Kingdom and the European Union imposed sanctions on him over alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The proceeds from the sale have remained frozen in a UK bank account for the past three years and cannot be accessed or transferred without approval from the Treasury.
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The UK government has consistently argued that the funds should be directed toward humanitarian support for Ukraine and has attempted to reach an agreement with Abramovich on their allocation.
However, British officials say no such agreement has been achieved, and the government is now preparing to take legal steps.
The ministers added that while talks remain ongoing, they are “fully prepared to pursue this case through the courts if necessary to ensure that the people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these funds as soon as possible.”
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The development comes as Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Britain, France, and Germany to back the development of a European alternative to the US-made Patriot air defense system.
The Patriot system is currently among the few Western platforms capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, particularly when used with PAC-3 MSE interceptors. According to The Guardian, Zelenskyy noted that each interceptor costs around $4 million, while Ukraine’s existing stockpiles are increasingly strained by sustained Russian missile attacks.
The report adds that Zelenskyy proposed pooling industrial capacity and financial resources from the UK, France, and Germany to create a European-controlled interceptor programme, reducing reliance on US production.
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