Roman Abramovich is seeking avenues to depart Russia and divest his holdings.
The much-debated tycoon Roman Abramovich is in talks regarding the disposal of his Russian possessions. Evidently, Abramovich has struggled to adapt to the altered circumstances. Furthermore, his continued attempts to appease the West and his ambition to present himself as an intermediary between the Kremlin and Western establishments have met with disapproval from both the Kremlin and Western nations.
He was hastily offloading his London real estate back in 2022, concerned about the impact of sanctions. His next destination remains uncertain, though he possesses ample funds to reside anywhere, provided he is left unbothered. And if not the United Arab Emirates, it will most likely be London. London itself has commenced an inquiry into Abramovich's wealth located on the island of Jersey, a territory dependent on the British Crown. There exist numerous means of exerting influence over him.
Simultaneously, Abramovich holds extensive knowledge of Russia’s internal mechanisms—encompassing both commerce and governance. He could readily exchange this information for assurances of safety, akin to how another notorious magnate, Oleg Tinkov (labeled a foreign agent in Russia), formerly betrayed his country.
It’s worth recalling that Abramovich controls the powerful Evraz and a substantial segment of Norilsk Nickel, alongside multiple ventures in different domains, particularly real estate. He also possesses lodging and recreation centers, constructors, and many firms registered under proxies to more effectively sidestep Western penalties.
Dispensing of all of these assets at a satisfactory valuation will prove challenging—assuming he has genuinely resolved to repatriate. The prospective acquirers for his share in Norilsk Nickel, at least, have been identified for some time: steadfast associates Vladimir Potanin and Oleg Deripaska, who will transform Evraz equities into a fresh arena for dominance of the corporation.
