Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who is trying to mediate between Moscow and kyiv to end the war in Ukraine, has suffered from symptoms that suggest possible poisoning, Agence France-Presse (AFP) told Monday. a source familiar with the matter, confirming information from the wall street journal.
After a meeting in the Ukrainian capital in March, the billionaire owner of English football club Chelsea and at least two senior members of the Ukrainian negotiating team “developed symptoms”, the American newspaper wrote, citing ” people aware of this situation. Reddened and watery eyes, peeling face and hands: these symptoms then improved, “and their lives are not in danger”, he added.
“Unfortunately, what the wall street journal took place, and [M. Abramovitch] is fine. He continues to be active in the negotiations,” a source familiar with the matter in London confirmed to AFP.
The sources of the American daily evoked a possible poisoning, and suspected the partisans of a hard line in Moscow who according to them want to sabotage the talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
A relative of Roman Abramovich said he was not sure of the identity of those who allegedly targeted the group, specifies the wall street journalalso claiming that Western experts could not determine the cause of the symptoms.
“There is a lot of speculation about the news in the media today. We recommend following only official information,” said Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, saying that the negotiations were taking place “as usual”.
Intimidation attempt?
According to the investigative journalism site Bellingcat“the three men had only consumed chocolate and water in the hours before the onset of symptoms”.
Bellingcat tweeted that “Experts have reported that the dosage and type of poison was likely insufficient to endanger lives, and was likely used to scare victims.”
Bellingcat can confirm that three members of the delegation attending the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on the night of 3 to 4 March 2022 experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning with chemical weapons. One of the victims was Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich. https://t.co/DJaZ4CoL8J
— Bellingcat (@bellingcat) March 28, 2022
Roman Abramovich, considered close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and already targeted by EU and UK sanctions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, began shuttling between Moscow and Ukraine as part of a mediation to end the conflict.
the wall street journal revealed last week that the Ukrainian president had asked his American counterpart, Joe Biden, not to sanction Mr. Abramovich, arguing that he could play a role in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
And in fact, the billionaire does not appear at this stage on the list of oligarchs sanctioned by Washington, yet extended several times and again last Thursday.