Roman Abramovich Takes Israeli Citizenship

[DaveNY]

Roman Abramovich is having trouble getting a UK visa possibly due to the worsening tensions between the UK and Russia. It's also been reported that Abramovich has taken out Israeli citizenship.

The more important question is why doesn't Abramovich have UK citizenship? Why didn't he take out UK citizenship years ago. He has spent literally millions of dollars in the UK over the years, maybe billions. I'd think the UK would want him as a citizen they certainly haven't been that worried about other rich people they given citizenship to.

There are large numbers of not so rich Russians living in the UK. Whenever we're in London my wife has no problems finding shops employing Russian speakers so it can't be because the UK has something against Russians.

http://news.sky.com/story/roman-abramovich-granted-israeli-citizenship-after-being-unable-to-renew-uk-visa-reports-11388586
http://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/29/football/abramovich-israel-citizenship-intl/index.html

[Boethius]

I don't think Abramovich ever applied for UK citizenship.  He has a cosy relationship with the Kremlin.

[DaveNY]

Why wouldn't he have taken out UK citizenship? As anyone who's watched Russian politics can attest to relations can sour between the elites and Putin.

Russians and Chinese take out foreign citizenship all the time. The UK is famous for the numbers of rich Russians living there as are many countries in Europe. Germany probably has more Russians living there than any other country in Europe.

In NYC I know many Russians and Chinese who have taken out US citizenship if for no other reason then as a safety net in case conditions in their birth country deteriorate. 

[Boethius]

As I posted, he has a well known relationship with the Russian government.  He also has significant Russian business interests.  That relationship may have disqualified him.  Furthermore, he may not want to be beholden, in any way, to the UK government.

[tfcrew]

Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich can enter UK on visitor visa but cannot work, PM says

Why would a multi-millionaire need 'to work'?
Besides, where did all his money come from anyway?

[krimster2]

"
As I posted, he has a well known relationship with the Russian government.  He also has significant Russian business interests.  That relationship may have disqualified him.  Furthermore, he may not want to be beholden, in any way, to the UK government.
"

i think financial disclosures are an issue BO
UK has a magnintsky act which specifies more dislosures than in the past
israel doesn't and won't require disclosures to that extant

also I would not recommend Putin offs a Russian in Israel or USA
I'd get VERY upset...

ya hear me Vlad!

da krimchik ya ponelle...

[tfcrew]

I understand now that Romie was one of Yeltsins toadies.

[krimster2]

he goes way back
all the way back

[DaveNY]

Why would a multi-millionaire need 'to work'?
Besides, where did all his money come from anyway?

tfcrew he's a multi billionaire worth somewhere north of $10,000,000,000 US. As for working if the UK definition of work is similar to the definition in the US it would include such things as serving as a company official for companies he owns.

For instance Abramovich owns Chelsea F.C. in the UK however the restriction of not working in the UK would mean he wouldn't be able to make any business decisions about Chelsea while physically present in the UK. He wouldn't even be able to serve tea in the stadium cafeteria and if the definition is as strict as it is in the US Abramovich wouldn't even be able to do it as a unpaid worker.

A way around this restriction would be for him to go to the Russian embassy or any foreign embassy and have someone from Chelsea call him while he's physically present in the Russian Embassy which isn't considered UK soil. Then while present in the embassy Abramovich could make business decisions about the club.