Analysis: What Abramovichi is looking for in Russian talks, Ukraine

The sanctioned billionaire Roman Abramovich is not officially part of the Russian delegation, but has apparently played a major role in the background, flying between Moscow, Kiev and Istanbul since Russia invaded Ukraine.

The question of what Abramovich is playing and why was raised since Monday, when the Wall Street Journal found that he and a Ukrainian MP were among the 3 people who suffered symptoms similar to chemical poisoning during a round of negotiations in Kiev in early March.

One source confirmed to Guardian that Abramovich was sick after the meeting and had lost sight for several hours. He was soon healed and was able to participate in later rounds of negotiations.

News of poisoning has been met with great scepticism. This is a rare case Washington and Moscow agree on something this month. Both capitals signaled that they do not believe the history of poisoning.

Our intelligence strongly believes that this had environmental reasons,” A US official told Reuters on Monday, adding: “P, for example, no poisoning”.

On Tuesday, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasised his denial: “This is part of the panic of information, part of the sabotage of information, the war of information. These reports are not true... it's necessary to thoroughly filter information. ”

A spokesman for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, warned “only follow official information”.

Christo Grozev, from the portal “Bellings” that also published the news said it stood up to the claims. “We don't know who did it, but there was something there,” he said.

Grozev has a long history of uncovering attempts at poisoning, including identifying the Russian strike team, which allegedly poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navajo in 2020. He said he would soon be able to extract more information about the latest incident.

“We are trying to find a balance between the protection of privacy and the security concerns of individuals, but also accurate public information,” said Grozev.

In addition to claims of poisoning, the oligarch showing, which is attracted to publicity, at the centre of peace negotiations, has also surprised many people.

In recent years Abramovich has positioned himself as someone drawn to the difficult edge of business life and without political ambition. He has been known for financing cultural causes. Even though he can sometimes be seen in Moscow's art galleries, theaters, or restaurants, the former owner of the Chelsea football club hates publicity and does not provide interviews.

News about Abramovich's wealth and lifestyle are often focused on his court cases. An epic battle took place in 2012 in London courts with former friend Boris Berezovsky, who claimed Abramovic was cheating with several billion dollars by forcing him to sell his shares at the Sibneft oil company at a reduced price. The judge found out in favour of Abramovich.

Recently, Abramovich raised a slander issue in London against journalist Catherine Belton, after rejecting several claims in Putin's “Book Putin's people”, where he reportedly bought Chelsea at Putin's request. Abramovich agreed with Belton after her publisher agreed that the book would accept that this was not a fact issue.

In that case, his lawyers claimed that “Abramovic is someone who is away from Putin”, something that has been questioned by his sudden appearance as sent to negotiations.

A source in the Ukrainian delegation told the newspaper “Ukrayinska Pravda” that Abramovich had positioned himself as a neutral mediator and his main role was “ia passed our position, their human language chief”.

Alexander Rodnyansky, an economic adviser to Zelenskiy, told Guardian that Abramovich was committed as mediator by his father, a Ukrainian film producer who knows the billionaire well.

In Kiev, Abramovich is seen as, at least, a serious conversationist who has Putin's ear. Russia's official negotiating team consists mainly of second-level officials not seen as influential, so Putin may have chosen Abramovich as a more serious conversationor for sending to Ukrainians.

“Putin looking for back channels. He doesn't believe in anything that's open. Everything must be a bit of a conspiracy”, veteran Russian journalist Yevgenia Albats said.

One source in Moscow said Abramovich had two personal meetings with Zelenskiy in Kiev last month, claims which were not confirmed by the Ukrainian side. After the visit during which Abramovich became sick, he returned for another trip to the Ukrainian capital, the source said.

In his interview with Russian journalists over the weekend, Zelensky said Abramovich was one of a number of Russian oligarchs who had contacted him by offering to invest in the Ukrainian economy.

We received signals from him and from several other businessmen who said we could help somehow, let's try to do something, Zelenskiy said. He also said Abramovich was involved in unsuccessful discussions on organising humanitarian corridors.

However, he did not mention Abramovich's visits to Kiev, or his supposed oligarch meetings.

Albats said offers by Abramovich and other Russian businessmen to help Ukraine could come from horror in war, but also from self-interest and from the desire to avoid crippled Western sanctions.

It's the way people are trying to save their villas, their yachts and also be on the right side of the battle. Some of them are at least terrified. I know some who just couldn't believe what happened”, Albats said. “Then there are some who simply worry that they are unable to pay their launderers. ”

Many are skeptical of the reincarnation of Abramovich as peacemakers.

How can you forget who this is? He is one of the biggest sponsors of Putin's” regime, said Maria Pevchikh, a close associate of the imprisoned opposition leader Navalny and head of his Anti-Corruption Foundation.

Pevchikh said he rejects the idea that Abramovich could be an independent actor in the talks.

I'm 100% sure this is completely coordinated with the Kremlin. When you were Putin's doll for 22 years, you don't suddenly become a traitor”, she said.