FT: Abramovich in the role of pacifist in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations with the … Putin blessings

by

London, Thanasis Gavos

Vladimir Putin personally approved of his involvement Roman Abramovich in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, the Financial Times reveals, citing two people with direct knowledge of the case.

According to the British newspaper, Putin’s “direct blessing” indicates that Russian oligarch sought approval for his mediation role at the highest level.

This contradicts his assertions that he has no close relationship with the Russian President, for whom he severe sanctions first from the United Kingdom and then from the EU.

Roman Abramovich, as his spokesman had admitted after an Israeli publication, had sought to help start negotiations.

In particular, the FT claims that the Russian tycoon met in late February with a senior official from the office of the Ukrainian president, Zelensky for this purpose.

In fact, President Zelensky’s adviser, David Arahamia, told the British newspaper that Abramovich was “heavily involved” in the talks and even said that he had met him in Gomel, Belarus, during the first round of talks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov confirmed that Abramovich had a role to play in the talks, but did not confirm President Putin’s direct approval.

One of the newspaper’s sources states that for Abramovich himself his involvement was a risk, but he himself had said “I want to do something”.

The Financial Times also notes that Abramovich has been very active since the start of the war, both trying to close meetings between mediators and on humanitarian issues.

He has reportedly met recently with former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Moscow, as well as with Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, and with President Erdogan’s foreign policy adviser, Ibrahim Tu Kalin, when he arrived.

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