In pictures of the talks between Istanbul and Russia in Istanbul this Tuesday, a smile appeared on their faces when the talks did not even start. It belonged to Roman Abramovich.
Although the billionaire affected by Western sanctions is not an official member of the Russian delegation, his role behind the scenes seems to be key, with several trips between Moscow, Kiev and Istanbul since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On Monday, more questions arose about what Abramovich was doing and why, when the newspaper The Wall Street Journal And the investigative publication Bellingcat reports that the Russian billionaire and Ukrainian MP were among three people who had symptoms of chemical poisoning after a round of talks in Kyiv in early March.
The source confirmed Guardian That Abramovich became ill after that meeting and lost his sight for several hours. He soon recovered and was able to participate in the next rounds of negotiations.
Reports of the alleged poisoning were met with skepticism. This is one of the few coincidences between Washington and Moscow in recent months: the two capitals have shown signs of disbelief.
“Intelligence services strongly suggest that this was something environmental,” a member of the US government told Reuters on Monday. “For example, this is not poisoning,” he added.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, denied the allegations on Tuesday: “This is part of an information panic, an information sabotage, an information war; This information is not true … it is necessary to vigorously check the flow of information. ”
“You just have to follow the official information,” said Volodymyr Zelensky, a spokesman for the Ukrainian president.
Christo Grozev, journalist Bellingcat, Says his media defends what is published. “We do not know who did it, but something happened,” he said. Grozev detected several attempts at poisoning, and it was he who identified the Russian assassination squad that allegedly poisoned his opponent, Alexei Navalny, in 2020.
The journalist says he will be able to reveal more details about the incident soon. “We are trying to find a balance between providing accurate information to the public and protecting the security and privacy of the people,” he said.
Who is Abramovich?
Beyond the possible poisoning, the oligarch’s low-profile appearance at the center of the peace talks surprised many.
In recent years, Abramovich has established himself as a man without political ambitions and has escaped the hardest daily chores. It is known for funding cultural goals and living a luxurious life in general. Although he is sometimes seen in Moscow art galleries, theaters or restaurants, the former Chelsea owner hates publicity and refuses to give interviews.
tion about his wealth and life often comes from court cases, especially the epic fight he waged in 2012 with former philanthropist Boris Berezovsky in a London court. Berezovsky claimed that Abramovich had defrauded him of several billion dollars and forced him to sell his stake in the oil company Sibneft at a discounted price. The judge agreed with Abramovich.
Abramovich recently filed a defamation lawsuit in London against journalist Catherine Belton, denying several allegations in her book. Putin’s people (Putin’s people), for example, that he bought Chelsea at Putin’s request. Abramovich went to court with Belton after his publisher agreed to admit in the book that it was not a substantiated claim.
“Abramovich is a man far removed from Putin,” his lawyers said at the trial. A statement that was questioned by his sudden appearance as ambassador.
A source in the Kiev delegation told the Ukrainian about it Pravda of Ukraine That Abramovich had established himself as a neutral mediator and that his main role was to “convey our position in human language to our leader.”
This was stated by Alexander Rodniansky, Zelensky’s economic advisor Guardian That his father, a Ukrainian filmmaker who knew Abramovich well, was responsible for hiring a millionaire’s mediator.
Which side is it on
In Kyiv, Abramovich is perceived as a serious interlocutor that Putin listens to. For the most part, Russia’s official negotiating team is made up of less influential second-rate officials, and Putin could have chosen Abramovich as a more serious interlocutor to send to the Ukrainians.
According to Russian veteran journalist Eugenia Albatz, “Putin is looking for secondary channels, he does not believe in anything that is open, everything should be a bit like a conspiracy.”
A Moscow source says Abramovich met Zelensky twice in person in Kyiv last month. Ukrainians do not confirm these allegations. According to this source, after a visit in which he became ill, Abramovich once again left for the Ukrainian capital.
In an interview with Russian journalists over the weekend, Zelensky said Abramovich was one of the Russian oligarchs who approached him and offered to invest in the country’s economy. “We have received signals from him and other businessmen who say, ‘Let’s help in any way, try to do something,'” Zelensky explained. The Ukrainian president also said that Abramovich was involved in unsuccessful negotiations for the organization of humanitarian corridors. But he did not mention Abramovich’s visits to Kyiv or his alleged meetings with the oligarch.
Albatz said offers by Abramovich and other Russian businessmen for help could stem from the horrors of war, but also from personal interests and bypassing devastating Western sanctions. “This is a way for people to try to save their villas, yachts and also a way to be on the right side of the fight,” he said. “Some of them are still scared. I know some who do not believe what happened, then there are others who just regret not being able to pay their maids.
Many doubt the reincarnation of Abramovich’s mediator. “How did they forget who he is?” “He is one of the biggest supporters of the Putin regime.”
Pevchik does not believe that Abramovich can take part in the negotiations as an independent agent. “I am 100% sure that it was fully coordinated by the Kremlin. “When you are a puppet of Putin for 22 years, you do not suddenly become a rebel,” he said.
Translated by Francisco de Zarate
Source: El Diario
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
