Topline
After reports surfaced Monday that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich may have been poisoned during peace talks in Ukraine, one U.S. official moved to pour cold water on the narrative, telling Reuters American intelligence suggests Abramovich’s recent illness was due to other factors.
Chelsea’s Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, watches the FA cup fifth-round football match between … [+]
Key Facts
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the publication that U.S. intelligence “highly suggests this was environmental.”
Multiple outlets, citing sources close to Abramovich, reported earlier Monday that the billionaire and multiple Ukrainian negotiators suffered symptoms like eye irritation and peeling skin on the hands and face earlier this month in a suspected poisoning.
None appear to have experienced life-threatening issues, and all have since recovered, according to reports.
The Pentagon and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Forbes.
Key Background
News of the alleged poisoning quickly grabbed international headlines Monday given Abramovich’s wealth and high-profile status in the West, particularly due to his longtime ownership of Chelsea Football Club. Abramovich is the only known Russian oligarch to have attempted peace talks in Ukraine, engaging in them shortly after the invasion started. His efforts appear to have been largely unsuccessful and his involvement in negotiations has ceased, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged President Joe Biden not to bring sanctions against Abramovich, apparently in response to the earlier negotiation efforts, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Big Number
$7.8 billion. That’s Abramovich’s net worth, according to the latest Forbes estimate.
Further Reading
Russian Oligarch Abramovich Apparently Poisoned After Attempting Ukraine Peace Talks (Forbes)
Roman Abramovich and Ukrainian Peace Negotiators Suffer Symptoms of Suspected Poisoning (Wall Street Journal)
Zelensky Asked Biden To Not Sanction Billionaire Oligarch Abramovich, Report Says (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/03/28/us-official-doubts-roman-abramovich-was-poisoned-report-claims/