Zelensky, West point fingers at Putin after reports of opposition leader Navalny’s death

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Following news of the reported death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in an Arctic prison colony on Friday, Western leaders and their allies increasingly pointed the finger at the Russian government, insisting on a connection to Navalny’s death.

Navalny, who is serving a 19-year sentence, reportedly fainted during a walk in the prison and could not be revived by medical personnel, according to AFP, citing Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service. Navalny was last seen in public in prison uniform during a court hearing via video link on Thursday, according to media reports.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin had been informed about Navalny’s death, but said he was not aware of the cause, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was “clear” that Vladimir Putin was directly behind Navalny’s death. Speaking in Germany, Zelensky claimed that Putin only cares about maintaining his position, regardless of the consequences.

Zelensky stressed the need to hold Putin accountable for his actions, saying, “Clearly, he was killed by Putin. Like thousands of other people who have been tortured.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on Navalny’s death, saying, “His death in a Russian prison and the arrest and fear of one man only underscores the weakness and rot at the heart of the system that Putin has built. Is responsible.” ,” according to news agency Reuters.

Poland’s top diplomat, Radosław Sikorski, echoed Zelensky’s view, holding Vladimir Putin “responsible” for Navalny’s death. Sikorsky highlighted the flawed charges and evidence in Navalny’s trial, emphasizing Putin’s culpability.

Exiled Russian opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov also blamed Putin for Navalny’s death, calling it an “assassination” orchestrated by the Russian leader. The Moscow Times quoted him as saying, “Alexey may have died of ‘natural’ causes, but it was caused by his poisoning and further torture in prison. The blood is on Putin’s hands.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed that Alexei Navalny’s death was linked to his role as a symbol of a free and democratic Russia. “Like no one else, Alexei Navalny was a symbol of a free and democratic Russia,” he said on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “That is why he had to die. Alexei Navalny fought for a democratic Russia. Fought.”

Finance Minister Christian Lindner expressed similar sentiments at the forum and accused Putin of harassing Navalny for his democracy advocacy.

“This is terrible news,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, calling Navalny “Russian democracy’s most ardent supporter. As Russian democracy’s most ardent supporter, Alexei Navalny demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life.” ”

In a post on X, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “Putin fears dissent from his own people”, describing Navalny’s death as “a grim reminder of Putin’s rule”. .

Russia’s most prominent opposition leader, Navalny, 47, has gained a large following for his criticism of corruption in Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

In a series of cases, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison on charges widely condemned by independent rights organizations and Western governments as retaliation for his opposition to the Kremlin.

Late last year, he was transferred to a remote Arctic prison colony in Russia’s Yamalo-Nenets region in northern Siberia.