Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and two Ukrainian peace negotiators suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning during talks in Kyiv earlier this month.

The Chelsea Football Club owner and peace negotiators all suffered burning eyes, constant tears and peeling skin.

9News Europe correspondent, Brett McLeod, says sources close to Mr Abramovich say “he was blinded temporarily”.

“Whether that was meant to permanently harm them, whether it was just to send a message, or what, is unclear at the moment but it does seem like it was someone trying to disrupt those peace talks,” Mr McLeod told Ross and Russel.

The Wall Street Journal has reported claims Russian hardliners are behind the alleged poisoning.

“It wouldn’t be a far-fetched assumption, based on their previous efforts,” Mr McLeod said.

“Whether there was anything more to this than they were meant to be made sick, we don’t know, but it seems an unusual thing to do that early on.”

The health of Mr Abramovich and the Ukrainian negotiators is understood to have improved since the incident on March 3.

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