Yushchenko insists on “Russian trace” in his poisoning

Ukraine's president Viktor Yushchenko has said Russia is obstructing the investigation into his alleged poisoning in September 2004.

In an interview with the British newspaper The Times he said Russia has failed to provide samples of the toxic substance dioxin which reportedly damaged his health.

Yushchenko said only three laboratories in the world produced dioxin of that formula, and Russia is the one that hasn't provided samples, which he believes limits the possibilities of the investigation.

Yushchenko's mysterious illness, which scarred his face during the presidential run-up three years ago, remains unsolved and has provoked much speculation. Blood tests revealed extremely high levels of the toxic material dioxin in his body.

Yushchenko has claimed he was deliberately poisoned by high level Ukrainian officials.