He is one of the close aides of Putin and suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning after a meeting in Kyiv
Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who is acting as an unofficial envoy for Moscow in talks with Ukraine, in an interview, said President Vladimir Putin told him that Russia would “thrash” the Ukrainians.
Putin’s reply reportedly came when Abramovich met the Russian president last week in Moscow and delivered a handwritten note from Zelenskyy outlining the conditions that were in consideration to reach a cease-fire agreement.
In an exclusive report published on Monday, The Times said Putin’s response was unequivocally clear: “Tell him I will thrash them.”
However, the British newspaper did not disclose the exact contents of the alleged note.
Abramovich was present in Istanbul, Turkey, on Tuesday, where another round of peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations happened.
The Times reported that Abromovich's private jet took off from Istanbul to Moscow, where he met Putin and handed over the note, and then returned.
The Russian oligarch had accepted Ukraine’s help in the negotiations to end Russia’s unprovoked invasion, which began on February 24.
A news outlet on Monday reported that Abramovich and two top Ukrainian diplomats suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning earlier this month after a meeting in Kyiv.
Western nations have imposed heavy sanctions on Abramovich and other Russian oligarchs since Russia’s “special military operation” to force Putin to withdraw from Ukraine.
Abramovich, whose international profile rose after acquiring Chelsea FC in 2003, has decided to sell the British soccer club after being hit by sanctions.
Picture Credit: EuroSport