EU accuses Putin of deliberately murdering Navalny

The EU announces consequences after Alexei Navalny's death. The German Commission President addressed Vladimir Putin with unusually clear words.

Germany and the other 26 EU states are jointly accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of being responsible for the death of his political opponent Alexei Navalny. “The European Union is shocked by the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, for which President Putin and the Russian authorities ultimately bear responsibility,” said a statement released by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The EU will spare no effort to hold Russia's political leadership and the Russian authorities accountable – including through sanctions.

The EU also calls on the Russian authorities to facilitate an independent and transparent international investigation into the circumstances of Navalny's sudden death and to release people arrested at mourning rallies. Russia has been repeatedly called upon to ensure Navalny's safety and health.

Regarding Navalny himself, the statement says that throughout his life he has shown incredible courage and commitment to his country and his fellow citizens in fighting corruption. That is why Putin and his regime were afraid of him, also in connection with Russia's ongoing illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and the Russian presidential elections in March. Navalny's shocking death is another sign of the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, among others, had previously expressed herself even more clearly. She assumes that Navalny was deliberately murdered.

The EU sanctions instrument for punishing serious human rights violations should also be named after Navalny. The foreign ministers of the EU states had agreed to his proposal, said Borrell. The renaming will be a way to keep Navalny's memory alive. In the future, the sanctions regime should be called the global Navalny sanctions regime in the area of ​​human rights.

The tool was first used in 2021 to punish Russian state officials for imprisoning Navalny – it has now also been used against people from several other countries. Those affected must have their accounts and other assets frozen in the EU. In addition, people are no longer allowed to enter the EU or do business with EU citizens.

The US government is not ruling out further sanctions against Moscow following the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. “We have already imposed sanctions, but we are considering additional sanctions,” Biden said in response to a question from a reporter in Washington. A few days earlier, he had blamed Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for the death of the opposition figure.

With a view to passing billions in aid to Ukraine in the US Congress, the Democrat said he was not sure whether Navalny's death would make a difference and whether the Republicans would give up their blockade stance. The behavior of the Republican members of the House of Representatives was “shocking.” They would run away from the Russian threat and their obligations. Biden also said he would be open to meeting the chamber's Republican leader, Mike Johnson.

In an emotional declaration of war on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny's widow has announced that her husband's opposition work will continue. “I will continue Alexei Navalny's cause, fight for our country. I call on you to stand by my side,” said Yulia Navalnaya in a stirring video message published on YouTube.