The Ukrainian peace negotiators and Russian-Israeli oligarch Roman Abramovich has suffered from symptoms of suspected poisoning at peace talks on the Ukraine-Belarus border, according to reports.
Abramovich, a Russian billionaire allegedly suffered from a temporary loss of eyesight, problems eating, and peeling skin on his face and hands after a meeting with Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Kyiv earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The reports also added that symptoms developed after Abramovich met the Ukrainian negotiators in Kyiv. Since the Russian invasion started, Abramovich had been actively involved in the negotiations process between Russia and Ukraine, traveling between Moscow, Kyiv, and other negotiation sites.
Aside from Abramovich, two of the Ukrainian negotiation team also suffered the symptoms.
Though there’s still no clear information yet on who could have poisoned Abramovich and the Ukrainian representatives, Abramovich stated that Kremlin officials attempting to sabotage peace talks were responsible.
The outlet said in their Monday post, “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.”
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 victims was Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich. https://t.co/DJaZ4CoL8J
— Bellingcat (@bellingcat) March 28, 2022
“One of [the] victims was Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich,” Bellingcat said.
He also added that Ukrainian negotiators had driven from Kyiv to Lviv en route to Istanbul via Poland, the day after they met with Abramovich.
“Based on remote and on-site examinations, the experts concluded that the symptoms are most likely the result of international poisoning with an undefined chemical weapon,” Bellingcat said.
“An alternative less likely hypothesis was the use of microwave irradiation. The symptoms gradually subsided in the course of the following week.”
“[T]he symptoms were most consistent with variants of porphyrin, organophosphates or bicyclic substances. A definitive determination was not possible due to the absence of specialized laboratory equipment near the victims,” Bellingcat said. He also mentioned that those who suffered from the symptoms had “consumed only chocolate and water in the hours before the symptoms appeared.”
“The experts said the dosage and type of toxin used were likely insufficient to cause life-threatening damage, and most likely was intended to scare the victims as opposed to cause permanent damage.”
Sources: Western Journal, The Wall Street Journal
