Abramovich, what do we know about the alleged poisoning

The first to break the news were the Wall Street Journal and the investigative site Bellingcatin the evening the confirmation of his spokesperson also arrived: Roman Abramovich would have been the victim of a attempted poisoning. Like him, the members of the Ukrainian delegation who participated in meetings with the Russians for peace talks would have had symptoms of poisoning. That’s at least according to media reports, chief negotiator Mikhaylo Podolyak told the site Kyiv Independent that this is “speculation” and that the Ukrainian negotiators are hard at work.

The Russian billionaire who lives in Great Britain and who is currently in Turkey to limit the impact of the sanctions that have hit the oligarchs close to Putin at the international level. Precisely because of this closeness he was indicated as a possible mediator between Russia and Ukraine.

The poisoning attempt would have taken place at the beginning of March. Roman Abramovich allegedly had red, sore eyes with severe tearing, as well as peeling of the skin on his face and hands. He would have had the same effects as his interpreter. No confirmation on the two Ukrainians who would have accused the same malaise. Indeed a denial from Rustem Umerov who says he is fine and talks about fake news. Abramovich would be treated in Turkey after returning from Ukraine. Also to ascertain the origin of the alleged poisoning: whether caused by chemical or biological agents.

In the meeting, which dates back to March 3, it would have been drunk with water and eaten chocolate. The toxic substance would have been in such an amount as not to cause serious harm, but certainly to create problems and fright. The British 007 seem to be more convinced of the poisoning hypothesis, the less certain is the American position that speaks of a problem coming from the environment.

Certainly there is that Abramovich, whose mother was born in Ukraine, is the best known of the men engaged in negotiation between the two countries. So important to convince the Americans not to sanction him, at the request of Kiev, as European countries have done instead. Today a new appointment for the negotiations in Turkey.

If the poisoning were confirmed, the case of the oligarch would be compared to those of the former secret service agent Litvinenko murdered with polonium and dioxin intoxication of former Ukrainian president Viktor Yuschchenko. Many blame Moscow for these cases, but there is no firm evidence.