The announcement by the Russian prison authorities of the death of the opponent Alexei Navalny has triggered a cascade of reactions from Western leaders. With the necessary caution given the unreliability of the source of the news, different European and American political representatives have spoken in the same sense: pointing out the responsibility of Vladimir Putin's regime, in what represents a new dramatic step in the escalation of tension between Russia and the West, which the Kremlin has taken to a level not seen in decades with the large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The news has marked the beginning of the Munich Security Conference, a forum that brings together political, military and diplomatic leaders from much of the world – but not the Russians, who used to participate in the past and who are no longer invited as a result of the great invasion of Ukraine. In the Bavarian capital, US Vice President Kamala Harris was clear: “If the death is confirmed, it is further proof of Putin's brutality. No matter what they say, the responsibility lies with Russia,” she emphasized. Also in Munich, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “His death in a Russian prison and one man's obsession and fear only underscore the weakness and rot at the heart of the system Putin has built. . “Russia is responsible for this.”
EU leaders have also been forceful. “The EU considers the Russian regime solely responsible for this tragic death,” accused the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on X (formerly Twitter), as soon as the news broke. The reaction of the former Belgian Prime Minister has been one of the first and has marked a path followed by many of the leaders of the Member States and the heads of the Union's institutions. One of them has been the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen: “Putin fears nothing more than the dissidence of his own people. “A grim reminder of what Putin and his regime are.” The high representative of Foreign Affairs and Security of the EU, Josep Borrell, also from the German city, stressed the same line in his official account in X: “Putin is responsible for the murder and will be held accountable.”
“All the facts have to be clarified and Russia has serious questions to answer. Navalny was a strong voice for democracy and freedom for many years and allies had long called for his release,” said Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, also in Munich.
In today's Russia, free spirits are sent to the Gulag and condemned to death. Anger and indignation.
I pay tribute to the memory of Alexeï Navalny, his dedication, his courage. My thoughts go out to his family, loved ones, and to the Russian people.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 16, 2024
From the capitals, the echoes heard are no different: “He has probably paid for his bravery with his life. We know what regime this is,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “In today's Russia, free spirits are sent to the gulag and sentenced to death. Anger and indignation,” the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, wrote in X.
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The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, has also blamed Moscow, pointing out that Navalny's death “illustrates the unprecedented brutality of the Russian regime.”
Navalni's wife, Yulia, also reacted from Munich, with a brief speech just after the intervention of the Vice President of the United States, Harris. Visibly shaken, but whole, she addressed the audience, full of leaders, after a long applause.
“I am sure that, in my place, at this moment Alexei would have decided to get on this stage. I don't know if we should believe the terrible news that we receive only from official media. For many years, they have lied constantly. But if it's the truth, I want Putin and his team to know that they will be punished for what they have done to our country and to my family. They will be brought to justice. That day will come soon. I call on the entire international community to unite, fight this evil, this horrible regime,” said the opponent's wife.
Navalny had won the Sakharov Prize in 2021, awarded by the European Parliament for the fight for freedom of conscience. He was already in prison then and could not go to collect the prize. The decoration was awarded to him “for his immense bravery” in denouncing the “corruption of Vladimir Putin's regime.” And this is what the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, recalled in a message on X: “The world has lost a fighter whose courage will resonate through generations. […] “His fight for democracy is still alive.” The Maltese woman began her text by declaring herself “horrified.”
The world has lost a fighter whose courage will echo through generations.
Horrified by the death of Sakharov Prize laureate Alexei Navalny.
Russia took his freedom & his life, but not his dignity.
His struggle for democracy lives on.
Our thoughts are with his wife & children. pic.twitter.com/JMSAkLpb0T
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) February 16, 2024
Charles Michel has also influenced this facet of the activist: “Alexéi Navalni fought for the values of freedom and democracy. For his ideals, he made the ultimate sacrifice.” The president of the European Council closed his message with a solemn phrase: “Combatants die. But the fight for freedom never ends.” Another Belgian politician, Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, also reacted: “Alexéi Navalny was a defender of democracy and human rights. […] “Our thoughts are with Navalny’s family and friends and with all the brave Russian political prisoners.”
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