Russian-Israeli billionaire and philanthropist Roman Abramovich is taking part in talks in Belarus to end the conflict in Ukraine, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post.
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The Ukrainians asked Abramovich to assist in the negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
While the Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Kornichuk would not provide any specific details on Abramovich's involvement, he told The Jerusalem Post, "We appreciate anyone who can help, if he has enough influence."
Asked to comment, Abramovich's spokesperson said, "I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution and that he has been trying to help ever since. Considering what is at stake, we would ask for understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement."
Several senior Israeli figures have asked the US to refrain from sanctioning Abramovich over his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a Times of Israel report.
In a letter to US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides sent on Feb. 6, Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan, Chief Rabbi David Lau, and Director-General of Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Professor Yitshak Kreiss hailed Abramovich's investments in Israeli and Jewish causes.
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