After a meeting in the Ukrainian capital in March, Abramovich and at least two senior members of the Ukrainian negotiating team "developed suspicious symptoms", the US newspaper wrote, citing sources close to him.

The symptoms, which included red and watery eyes, were no longer felt later "and the lives [of the individuals concerned] are not in danger", according to the report.

Investigative journalism portal Bellingcat also confirmed “that three members of the delegation that participated in the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia on the night of March 3-4 reported symptoms consistent with chemical weapons poisoning” and that “one of the victims was Russian businessman Roman Abramovich”.