Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian negotiators suffered from possible ‘poisoning’, says ‘Wall Street Journal’

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who is trying to mediate between Moscow and kyiv to end the war in Ukraine, and two Ukrainian negotiators have suffered symptoms that suggest a possible “poisoning”reported on Monday, March 28, 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 officials from the Ukrainian negotiating team “have developed symptoms” – red and watery eyes, peeling face and hands – writes the American newspaper, citing “persons aware of this situation”. Their symptoms then improved “and their lives are not in danger”he adds.

The daily’s sources have spoken of possible poisoning and suspect hardliners in Moscow who they say want to sabotage talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

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“Symptoms consistent with chemical weapons poisoning”

A relative of Roman Abramovich however said, for his part, that he was not sure of the identity of those who would have targeted the group, specifies the wall street journalalso pointing out that Western experts could not determine the cause of the symptoms.

The newspaper confirms, in any case, that the Russian oligarch, considered close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and already targeted by sanctions from the European Union and the United Kingdom in the wake of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, began shuttling between Moscow and Ukraine as part of a mediation to end the conflict.

“Unfortunately, what the wall street journal took place, and [M. Abramovitch] is fine. He continues to be active in the negotiations.”confirmed to AFP a source familiar with the matter in London.

“A lot of speculation”

For its part, the investigation site Bellingcat confirms that “Three members of the delegation participating in the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on the night of March 3-4, 2022 presented symptoms consistent with chemical weapons poisoning. One of the victims was Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich. »

According to the investigative site, “the three men had only consumed chocolate and water in the hours before the onset of symptoms”. Bellingcat also made it known on Twitter that “Experts reported that the dosage and type of poison used was probably insufficient to endanger lives and was probably used to scare the victims”.

“There is a lot of speculation about the news in the media today. We recommend only following official information”affirmed, for his part, the Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, affirming that the negotiations were taking place ” as per usual “.

No sanctions against Roman Abramovich

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that several Russian businessmen, including Roman Abramovich, had offered to help Ukraine.

the wall street journal revealed last week that the Ukrainian president had asked his American counterpart, Joe Biden, not to sanction Roman 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, which has nevertheless been extended several times and again this last Thursday.

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The World with AFP


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