The French presidency has ridiculed false claims promoted on pro-Russia social media channels that President Macron snorted cocaine with Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany, aboard the train that took them and Sir Keir Starmer to Kyiv at the weekend, reports The Times.
“This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home. We must remain vigilant against manipulation,” the Élysée Palace posted on X after images were shared online of Macron picking up a used tissue from a table where he was sitting with the British prime minister and Merz.
According to accounts that circulate conspiracy theories, Macron was trying to hide a crumpled bag of cocaine while Merz was handling a white cocaine spoon when cameramen were allowed to enter the train’s conference saloon
High-definition video of the scene made clear that Macron was actually removing a crumpled tissue and the alleged “cocaine spoon” was a plastic coffee stirrer.
The Élysée added: “When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs.”
The German government called the claims “absurd” while Merz’s party, the CDU, added on X: “It is indeed just a tissue. Many sides are currently trying to influence public opinion through disinformation campaigns. Enemies of our democracy are specifically trying to weaken European unity and social cohesion.”
The three leaders were travelling through Ukraine from Poland on the night train to meet President Zelensky and Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, on Saturday morning. In Kyiv they challenged Russia to declare a 30-day ceasefire by Monday, which President Putin rejected.
Read more of this report from The Times.