Biden blames Putin for Navalny's death, exemplifies his bravery and calls for financial aid to Ukraine
1:29 PM EST, February 16, 2024
"People across Russia and around the world are mourning Navalny today because he was so many things that Putin was not," Biden said. Biden reflected on the Russian dissident. "He was dedicated to building a Russia where the rule of law existed." he added.
Biden reminded everyone that after the poisoning attempt in 2020, Navalny could have opted to stay in the West and live there safely.
"There can't be any doubt, Russian authorities may say different things, but it is Putin who is responsible for Navalny's death. What happened is further proof of Putin's brutality," claimed the US president. "Putin not only assaults citizens of other countries, as we see in Ukraine, but also commits horrific crimes against his own citizens, not just in Russia but around the world," he further added.
"Navalny epitomized everything that Putin is not. He was brave, devoted to the rule of law," stated the US president. "He believed in the truth, and he was willing to die for it," he added.
Biden urges Congress
Once again, he urged the American Congress to enact a law to provide financial aid to Ukraine. "So that Ukraine can defend itself and put an end to these horrific crimes committed by Putin," Biden stated.
The Russian prison service administration announced on Friday that Alexei Navalny, the leading figure in the anti-Kremlin opposition and considered the most formidable adversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in a labour camp. During his walk time, Navalny "felt unwell" and "lost consciousness." Despite summoning an ambulance and attempts at resuscitation, the dissident passed away, according to prison services.
It has been three years this January since Navalny was arrested and incarcerated after returning to Russia from Germany, where he was treated following a suspected poisoning attempt, most likely by the Russian special services. Authorities have since brought further criminal charges against him, resulting in sentences amounting over 30 years of imprisonment.
