Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators have reportedly suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning after meeting to discuss peace negotiations earlier this month, several news sources report.
Abramovich, along with another Russian entrepreneur, had taken part in the negotiations alongside Crimean Tatar lawmaker Rustem Umerov.
Three people who attended the meeting in Kyiv from 3 to 4 March felt initial symptoms consistent with poisoning with chemical weapons, it has been reported.
The Wall Street Journal reported that they had experienced red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands – however, they were said to have since improved, with their lives not in danger.
People familiar with the matter blamed the suspected attack on hardliners in Moscow who they said wanted to sabotage talks to end the war.
A person close to Abramovich said it wasn’t clear who had targeted the group and western experts who looked into the incident said it was hard to determine whether the symptoms were caused by a chemical or biological agent or by some sort of electromagnetic-radiation attack.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has met with Abramovich, wasn’t affected.
Abramovich was among seven oligarchs sanctioned by the UK government earlier in March in response to the Ukraine war. His major investment in England, Chelsea Football Club has been put up for sale by the government. (BBC)
