Camilla Jessen
French officials have denounced as disinformation a bizarre Russian media claim that alleged drug use by European leaders.
The French government on Sunday strongly rejected claims circulating in Russian state-affiliated media suggesting that President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer were involved in drug use during a recent visit to Kyiv.
The allegations, based on a misinterpreted image from a train ride to Ukraine, were described by the Élysée Palace as a “disinformation campaign” designed to undermine European unity.
Claims Spark Outrage and Clarification
The narrative emerged from Russian outlets, including RT, which shared a video claiming the European leaders hastily concealed a “white packet” and a “special spoon” as journalists entered the room.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova echoed the claim, referencing the supposed paraphernalia as evidence of inappropriate behavior.
In reality, video and photos from the scene show no such items—only a white table napkin, clearly visible on the table.
The Élysée Palace responded with a post on May 11 featuring a photo of the napkin and a caption that read:
This is a tissue. For the nose.
A second image of the three leaders carried the message: “This is European unity. For building peace.”
France Warns Against Foreign Interference
In an official statement, the French government denounced the incident as a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and undermine public trust in Europe’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs.
Officials said such attacks are part of a broader campaign by hostile actors—both foreign and domestic—aimed at destabilizing democratic countries.
“We must remain vigilant against manipulation,” the Élysée urged.
The disinformation surfaced just two days after Macron, Merz, and Starmer arrived in Kyiv on May 10 for high-level meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where they reaffirmed European support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression.