Roman Abramovich claims he ‘cut deal to lift Mariupol steelworks siege’ in bid to save fortune

ROMAN Abramovich claimed he had cut a deal to lift the Mariupol steelworks siege in a cynical bid to save his fortune, it was reported. The Chelsea owner told Ukraine officials  he had “reached an understanding” with Moscow  last month   — but  the bombing continued. ReutersAbramovich claimed he had cut a deal to lift the Mariupol steelworks siege in a bid to save his fortune, it was reported[/caption] But Kyiv was “met by silence from Moscow” when it tried to proceed, The Washington Post reported. And the “fiction” of the alleged agreement “shielded” Abramovich from US sanctions, the paper said. It meant his American holdings worth billions were safe from seizure and gave him vital time to “stockpile cash and take other steps to safeguard his fortune”. Despite being hit by UK and EU curbs which have forced his Chelsea firesale, Abramovich has so far escaped US sanctions. Read More on Ukraine war NO DEFENCE No10 killed plans to hike defence spending after Ukraine invasion BUTCHERED Bodies of Russian soldiers laid out in Z as Ukraine drives troops out of Kharkiv His American interests include a 29 per cent stake in a giant steel firm, vast sums in US hedge funds and private equity and a 14,000ft² mansion near Aspen, Colorado. The oligarch also remains free to carry out global deals in US dollars unless sanctions are imposed. Ex-US National Security Council boss Gavin Wilde told The Washington Post the agreement was  “fiction”, shielding him from US sanctions and safeguarding his massive interests there.   Abramovich’s spokeswoman did not respond. Most read in News HOT HOT HOT! Scorching 23C May HEATWAVE on cards, Met Office reveals SAVAGED Boy, 10, suffered 'unsurvivable' injuries after being killed by 8st 'Beast' dog BACK ON THE STREETS Fury after Baby P’s evil mum Tracey Connelly to be freed from jail SKY DRAMA RAF jets escorting plane over London sparks panic - but there's an explanation HIGH BRAWL Mass brawl erupts between 30 schoolkids and dad who 'confronted son’s bullies’ PILOT FREAKout Passengers terrified as untrained pilot forced to turn back mid-flight