The Kremlin has confirmed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was involved in early peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Abramovich answered a call from the Ukraine side to get involved while at the same time he was sanctioned by the UK government, with Chelsea among assets seized.
"He did take part at the initial stage," Dmitry Peskov, Russian president Vladimir Putin's press secretary, said of Abramovich on Thursday. "Now the negotiations are between the two teams, the Russians and Ukrainians."
Abramovich's role in the early peace talks had been confirmed by Ukrainian film director and producer Alexander Rodnyansky at the time.
He said: "I can confirm that the Ukrainian side have been trying to find someone in Russia willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution.
"They are connected to Roman Abramovich through the Jewish community and reached out to him for help. Roman Abramovich has been trying to mobilise support for a peaceful resolution ever since. Although Roman Abramovich's influence is limited, he is the only one who responded and taken it upon himself to try. If this will have an impact or not, I don't know, but I am in contact with Zelensky's staff myself, and know that they are grateful for his genuine efforts."
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