‘There is a lot of speculation, various conspiracy theories’ - Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak
Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich and two top Ukrainian diplomats reportedly suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning earlier this month after a meeting in Kyiv.
Abramovich is acting as an unofficial envoy for Russia in talks with Ukraine and accepted to help Kyiv end Moscow’s unprovoked invasion, which began on February 24.
The Wall Street Journal on Monday reported that Abramovich and the Ukrainian lawmaker Rustem Umerov and another negotiator experienced symptoms that included red eyes, constant and painful tearing, and peeling skin on their faces and hands.
Netherlands-based online investigative journalism group, Bellingcat confirmed the WSJ report and tweeted that the meet lasted till 10 p.m. on March 3, and while returning home, the three delegates felt the initial symptoms, which “did not abate until the morning.”
A source close to Abramovich confirmed BBC of the symptoms.
Bellingcat tweets mentioned that the symptoms are “most likely the result of international poisoning with an undefined chemical weapon.”
The report said the symptoms were most consistent with “variants of porphyrin, organophosphates, or bicyclic substances,” citing two chemical weapon experts and a doctor.
“The experts said the dosage and type of toxin used was likely insufficient to cause life-threatening damage, and most likely was intended to scare the victims as opposed to cause permanent damage.”
The health conditions of the three delegates have improved since the incident.
However, the Ukrainian officials denied the suspicion of poisoning.
Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said, “There is a lot of speculation, various conspiracy theories,” and Umerov has warned people not to trust “unverified information.”
Moreover, a U.S. official has also ruled out the poisoning suspicion and said that the “intelligence highly suggests” the cause was “environmental.”
Picture Credit: BBC