With the Russian invasion of Ukraine has come a flood of refugees fleeing the violence. The crisis has inspired some incredible displays of kindness and generosity .
However, it’s also requiring some creativity, too. The government of the United Kingdom is considering a novel solution for handling an anticipated stream of refugees coming out of Ukraine.
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A spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that properties owned by Russian oligarchs could be seized and converted into housing for Ukrainian refugees.
The U.K. has already hit Russian billionaires with sanctions.
Seven Russian oligarchs in the U.K. have had their assets frozen in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Notably, one of them is Roman Abramovich, owner of the Chelsea FC soccer club. Abramovich announced he would sell Chelsea as soon as possible.
Johnson and the British government are considering going one step further.
As these oligarchs own large properties throughout the U.K., a spokesperson for the P.M.’s office said the properties could be used as housing for Ukrainians fleeing their home country.
How would it work?
Spokesperson Sajid Javid said that there will be some legal hurdles to overcome, but that the properties could realistically be converted into homes.
“Certainly that’s something we are looking at,” he said. “I think in the first instance the two (visa) routes that we have are how we expect people will be housed in the U.K., either through family or through this sponsorship route.”
Once again, Roman Abramovich is in the crosshairs.
Among Abramovich’s holdings are a hotel at Stamford Bridge, attached to Chelsea’s stadium.
Javid said he wouldn’t rule out using the hotel to house Ukrainian refugees, saying, “We would certainly want to see wherever is possible (used), we’re open to all options. There are some challenges around the special license that has been created in relation to the sanctions.
It’s ‘poetic justice.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it would be “poetic justice” to seize the properties to use as housing for Ukrainians.
“I, for some time, with others, have been complaining about those Russian oligarchs close to Putin, using our city to launder money by buying homes or businesses,” he told Times Radio. “And what’s doubly heartbreaking about the homes they buy is they’re left empty for years. They’re not homes, they’re gold bricks used to launder money.”
The properties could be sold eventually.
Needless to say, oligarch mansions aren’t ideal for multi-family dwelling, so if they’re seized, they’ll eventually be sold. But until then, using them as housing seems like the best solution.
“I think the government should be seizing them and before selling them — because they’ll take some time — they should be using them to house those Ukrainians,” said Khan.
One of the mansions is already occupied.
The London mansion of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska is reportedly being squatted in by activists declaring it to “belong to Ukrainian refugees.”
It’s an intriguing development.
While Russian oligarchs may not be directly responsible for the invasion, their deep pockets and close ties to Vladimir Putin necessitate the moves to freeze their assets. There will likely be legal challenges as both sides navigate this dispute.
What do you think?
Is this an example of oligarchs reaping what they sow, or is the plan unrealistic? We want to know your thoughts, so feel free to share them in the comments!
h/t: WalesOnline
