Members of the Ukrainian delegation in talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine denied media reports that they were victims of poisoning, according to DPA. All members of the delegation are feeling well, Ukrainian media quoted Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podoliak as saying. “Currently, there is a lot of speculation in the information sphere, various conspiracy theories,” he said.
The American Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, also referring to the results of the Bellingcat investigation, that Ukrainian negotiators, including Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, received signs of poisoning earlier this month, on the evening of March 4. It was the work of hardliners in Moscow who wanted to disrupt the talks. This was announced before the resumption of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul today.
One of the members of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, whom the Wall Street Journal called one of the poisoned, wrote on Facebook yesterday that he was all right and urged not to believe the “yellow news”. An information war is being waged, he added.
In an interview on national television, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also said that now everyone is looking for news and sensations, but, however, sharply advised all those who will participate in negotiations with Russia, “eat or drink anything and, preferably, do not touch any surfaces”, reports Reuters.