Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova recently made headlines by alleging that French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were involved in drug use during a train journey to Ukraine. These claims, amplified by a viral video, have been debunked as part of a Russian disinformation campaign, raising questions about geopolitical tensions and media manipulation.
The Viral Video and Zakharova’s Allegations
On May 9, 2025, Macron, Starmer, and Merz traveled by train from Poland to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discuss support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia. A brief video captured during the journey showed Macron picking up a white object—later identified as a handkerchief—and Merz handling a small item, possibly a stirrer or toothpick. Social media users and Russian propaganda outlets, including Zakharova, claimed these were drug paraphernalia, alleging cocaine use. Newsweek reported that the French presidency dismissed these claims as “fake news” spread by France’s enemies.
[](https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-macron-cocaine-kyiv-claims-2070760)Zakharova, who has served as Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson since 2015, posted on Telegram, sarcastically suggesting that the leaders “forgot to put away their paraphernalia” and were “dependent temporary workers” deciding Europe’s fate. She also referenced a 2022 conversation with a Western ambassador, claiming drug use is “normal” among EU leaders. These statements, however, lack evidence and align with Russia’s pattern of accusing Western leaders of drug use to discredit them, as noted by Meduza.
[](https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/12/russian-propagandists-spread-cocaine-rumor-about-macron-claiming-a-tissue-in-a-video-from-leaders-kyiv-trip-is-a-little-white-bag)
French Media and Élysée Palace Response
French media, including Libération, debunked the allegations, confirming the white object was a handkerchief and the other item was likely a stirrer. The Élysée Palace issued a statement on X, calling the claims “disinformation” and emphasizing European unity: “When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs.” High-resolution images from AFP and AP corroborated these findings.
[](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/emmanuel-macron-hiding-a-cocaine-pouch-in-viral-video-french-media-calls-claims-absurd-conspiracies/articleshow/121083778.cms)[](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/emmanuel-macron-cocaine-train-fake-news-russia-starmer-merz-b1227210.html)Here is the video. You can decide for yourself.
Three men and a bag of white powder.
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) May 11, 2025
Notice how Macron sneakily and deftly swipes it out of the camera’s view.
The German chancellor Merz takes care of the spoon.
Can’t have people thinking they are plotting strategy while doing cocaine together pic.twitter.com/6IWcT8ZoNI
Russia has confirmed that Emmanuel Macron ‘is addicted to cocaine,’ a shocking claim made by Maria Zakharova, the director of Information for the Russian Foreign Ministry. This revelation comes amidst a viral video showing Macron, along with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during a train ride from Poland to Ukraine.
Zakharova, who has served as the ministry’s spokeswoman since 2015, highlighted the incident, adding weight to the controversy. The video, circulating online, has intensified scrutiny on Macron’s actions, as Russia’s confirmation of his alleged addiction raises questions about his leadership and the implications for international relations.
Thegatewaypudit.com reports: Rumors quickly began to spread that Macron possessed cocaine after he quickly grabbed a crumpled-up tissue. Others speculated that Merz tried to cover a straw or a spoon. And rumors started circulating online that they were sniffing cocaine.
Here is the video. You can decide for yourself.
Following this news story, Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova was quick to respond to the news.
Maria Zakharova: The video shows the President of France, the Prime Minister of Britain and the Chancellor of Germany.
Having pushed Zelensky into yet another hellish intrigue to disrupt the settlement and continue the bloodshed in Europe, as in the joke, the Frenchman, the Englishman and the German got on the train and… blew.
Apparently, so much that they forgot to put away their paraphernalia (a bag and a spoon) before the journalists arrived.
The fate of Europe is being decided in every sense by dependent temporary workers.
Incredible footage. As if the Almighty himself is lifting the curtain of this stinking Sabbath to the world, so that “those who have eyes to see.”
In 2022, I asked one Western ambassador: “How can you supply weapons to the unbalanced drug addict Zelensky, he has been on cocaine for many years?” And I received the answer: “For the EU, this is normal – many heads of Western states use it.”
Apparently, Zakharova is not buying the “tissue and coffee cup” line that was given by the Western warmonger elites.
Geopolitical Context: Russia’s Disinformation Strategy
Zakharova’s allegations are part of a broader Russian strategy to undermine Western leaders supporting Ukraine. Similar claims have been made against Zelenskyy, with no substantiation. The controversy coincides with heightened tensions, as the leaders called for a 30-day ceasefire, which Russia rejected by launching over 100 drones on Ukraine. Türkiye Today noted that Zakharova’s Telegram post aimed to portray European leaders as “utterly dependent individuals.”
[](https://www.turkiyetoday.com/world/russia-alleges-macron-merz-and-starmer-had-cocaine-party-in-kyiv-in-a-veiled-statemen-3201276)[](https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/12/russian-propagandists-spread-cocaine-rumor-about-macron-claiming-a-tissue-in-a-video-from-leaders-kyiv-trip-is-a-little-white-bag)A Historical Parallel: The 1956 Suez Crisis
France’s international reputation has faced scrutiny before, notably during the 1956 Suez Crisis. France, alongside the UK and Israel, invaded Egypt to regain control of the Suez Canal after its nationalization by President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The operation, driven by geopolitical and economic interests, backfired when the U.S. and USSR intervened, forcing a humiliating withdrawal. This incident highlighted France’s challenges in asserting influence amid Cold War dynamics, echoing today’s tensions with Russia over Ukraine. The Suez Crisis remains a cautionary tale of how misinformation and missteps can escalate geopolitical conflicts.
Conclusion
The cocaine allegations against Macron, Starmer, and Merz are a stark reminder of the power of disinformation in shaping public perception. As Russia leverages such narratives to weaken Western unity, critical media literacy is essential. By examining the evidence and historical context, we can better navigate the complexities of modern geopolitics.
Author: Planet-Today.com
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