INTERNATIONAL: Russian billionaire businessman Roman Abramovich, who owns Premier League soccer club Chelsea, has accepted a Ukrainian request to help negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine, his spokeswoman said on Monday 28TH February.

 Abramovich was asked by Ukraine to help mediate because of his background in Russia, where he made a fortune in the chaotic 1990s period of post-communist privatization, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on condition of anonymity.

Abramovich, who is Jewish and has Israeli citizenship, was one of the most powerful businessmen who earned fabulous fortunes after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. Forbes ranks his net worth at $13.3 billion.

"I can confirm 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," a spokeswoman said.

"Considering what is at stake, we would ask for understanding as to why we have not commented on either the situation as such or his involvement."

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine's government.

Under President Vladimir Putin, Abramovich served as governor of the remote Arctic region of Chukotka in Russia's the Far East.

It was not immediately clear what role, if, Abramovich would have in talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials that began on Monday at the Belarusian border.

Abramovich said on Saturday, February 26 he was giving trustees of Chelsea stewardship of the club.

In recent days, two other Russian billionaires, Mikhail Fridman and Oleg Deripaska have called for an end to the conflict.

Putin said he was ordering the military operation to protect people, including Russian citizens, from "genocide" - an accusation Ukraine and the West reject as baseless propaganda.