ISTANBUL: Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is also taking part in the talks. Abramovich talks to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. He is the owner of the Chelsea Football Club and two Ukrainian officials were reportedly poisoned by Russians who aimed to disrupt the peace talks. Later his health improved. Abramovich did not respond to media inquiries. It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. Russia, meanwhile, says Abromovic is not on the official delegation.
Russia has also denied reports of poisoning. He is also an Israeli citizen. European countries have announced sanctions against him and other Russian billionaires. The Wall Street Journal reports that Ukrainian President Vladimir Selensky has called on US President Joe Biden to lift sanctions, citing his involvement in peace talks.
Meanwhile, the number of people fleeing the war in Ukraine has risen to 39 million. Selensky accused the Russian attack on Mariupol of being a war crime.
At the same time, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said there was no indication that Russia was taking the peace talks seriously.
The day before, US President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation with representatives of European countries about the war.