Viral video: Did Macron, Starmer, Merz sniff cocaine in Kyiv? Here’s the truth
A video showing French President Emmanuel Macron on a train with other European leaders has gone viral online, with some people alleging he was hiding a pouch of cocaine.
Macron was traveling to Kyiv, Ukraine, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. They took a train from Poland, which is a common way for Western leaders to visit Ukraine and show support during the war with Russia.
In the video, Macron is seen quickly picking up a small white object from the table and putting it in his hand under the table. Merz also appears to move something on the table. Some people online began spreading rumours that the item was drugs.
What actually happened?
The French government responded quickly to the rumour. They said Macron had simply picked up a used tissue, and Merz had moved a drink stirrer, not anything suspicious. The French presidential office (Elysee Palace) said the claims were fake and part of an effort to spread lies.
French newspaper Libération also confirmed there is no proof of drug use and called the rumors “conspiracy theories.”
Did Russia start the rumour?
Russian government spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the video. She joked about the leaders and claimed they had taken cocaine and forgot to clean up before the media arrived. She also insulted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Some reports suggest this may be another example of Russian disinformation, trying to make Western leaders look bad.
World