President Volodymyr Zelensky confirms that Roman Abramovich visited Kyiv in May and was used as an informal channel to Vladimir President Vladimir Putin, according to multiple reports. Zelensky says the former Chelsea FC owner carried messages that included a ceasefire proposal and a request for direct talks. The accounts also say the messages reject any Ukrainian territorial concessions in Donbas.
The outlets describe Abramovich’s role as an attempted intermediary to test or open a channel for dialogue after a meeting in Kyiv. They characterize the approach as a go-between effort rather than an official diplomatic process, and note that Abramovich is widely seen as a Russian oligarch with ties to the Kremlin. The reports frame the visit as part of Ukraine’s effort to convey peace-related proposals to Putin through a channel believed to have access or influence.
While the reports focus on Zelensky’s confirmation of the content and purpose of the messages, they do not indicate that Putin publicly responded or that formal negotiations follow. The details remain consistent across sources regarding timing, messenger role, and the key points conveyed.
