The French Presidential Office has responded to a false claim circulated by Russian propaganda channels that suggested that French President Emmanuel Macron had been using drugs during a recent diplomatic visit to Kyiv.
On May 11, Russian media spread reports alleging the presence of a “bag of white powder” or a “cocaine spoon” on the table inside the train carriage carrying Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
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Russian sources alleged the item could be drugs used by the European leaders en route to Kyiv and said Macron had quickly removed it when journalists entered the compartment.
In response, the Élysée Palace posted two photos on X taken during the train ride on May 10, along with explanatory captions.
The first shows a tissue on the table with the note: “This is a tissue, for blowing your nose.” The second shows European officials seated together, captioned: “This is European unity. To build peace.”
When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs.
— Élysée (@Elysee) May 11, 2025
This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home. We must remain vigilant against manipulation. pic.twitter.com/xyXhGm9Dsr
“When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs,” the Élysée wrote. “This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home. We must remain vigilant against manipulation.”
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Not only pro-Kremlin media but also Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova promoted the claim on Telegram.
Posting a video from the train, she wrote:
“Having pushed Zelensky into another hellish intrigue to disrupt the settlement and continue the bloodshed in Europe, as in an anecdote, a Frenchman, an Englishman, and a German got on the train and… blew. Apparently, so much so that they forgot to put away the things (a bag and a spoon) before the arrival of journalists.”
Zakharova went on to suggest that “[drug] dependent temporary rulers” are deciding the fate of Europe and that “the Almighty himself is opening the curtain of this stinking coven.”
She also claimed an unnamed Western ambassador had told her in 2022 that drug use was “normal” in the EU, and “many heads of Western states use it.”
As of now, Zakharova’s post remains online, despite the Élysée’s public rebuttal.
The incident occurred during the May 10 visit to Kyiv of members of the “Coalition of the Determined,” which includes France, Germany, the UK, and Poland.
The leaders met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss ways to accelerate an end to Russian aggression and push for a just peace, including a proposed 30-day ceasefire starting May 12.
During the talks, the leaders called US President Donald Trump and agreed to jointly urge Russia to implement a complete ceasefire – warning of further sanctions if the Kremlin refuses to comply.
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