Russian oligarch, Ukrainian peace negotiator hit by suspected poisoning: report

Sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian peace negotiators suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning after meeting in Kyiv earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Abramovich, who accepted a Ukrainian request to help negotiate an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and at least two senior members of the Ukrainian team were affected, the WSJ report said.

Their symptoms included red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands, the WSJ report added.

Abramovich and the Ukrainian negotiators, including Crimean Tatar lawmaker Rustem Umerov, have since improved and their lives are not in danger, WSJ reported.

A person familiar with the matter confirmed the incident to Reuters but said Abramovich didn’t let the work distract him.

The Kremlin said Abramovich played an early role in Russia-Ukraine peace talks, but the process is now in the hands of negotiating teams from both sides.

Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what President Vladimir Putin called a “special military operation” to demilitarize and “denazify” Ukraine. Ukraine and the West say Putin launched an unprovoked war of aggression.