Putin says Russian oligarch met Zelenskyy in Kyiv

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that a Russian oligarch visited Kyiv on May 21 to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sparking controversy over indirect contacts between Moscow and Kyiv. Putin made the statement on June 5, as reported by independent Russian publication Meduza.

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I say that we are going to beat it: there are already many of us and it is possible, we will achieve it as we have always done, at every match, in every stadium.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko identified the oligarch as Roman Abramovich, who played an unofficial mediator role in the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine war. Honcharenko stated that the meeting with Zelenskyy occurred on the exact date mentioned by Putin. However, the content of their discussions and Abramovich's specific role as an intermediary remain undisclosed, and Kyiv has not confirmed or denied the visit.

According to Putin's account, following the oligarch's visit, Ukraine launched an attack on a dormitory in the Luhansk region, which Moscow labeled as "terrorist." Putin said he questioned the oligarch about the attack and received no explanation from Kyiv. He claimed no further contact was made with the businessman after this incident.

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I couldn't miss this wonderful event, to show the world what Mexico really is, the atmosphere, the love, the union, the peace.

Roman Abramovich's name has been repeatedly linked to mediation efforts between Moscow and Kyiv since the invasion began. Western publications reported in March 2022 that Putin had agreed to the billionaire's involvement in peace negotiations. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Zelenskyy had personally asked then-U.S. President Joe Biden not to sanction Abramovich, believing he could be useful in dialogue. Later reports suggested Abramovich conveyed a handwritten message from Zelenskyy to the Kremlin regarding potential peace terms. Abramovich was also involved in a controversial episode during negotiations, with suspicions of poisoning arising.

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We are a country that welcomes, that shines.