(Reuters) – Here are the main international reactions to the death of opponent Alexeï Navalny announced on Friday by the Russian prison services:
US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, AT THE WHITE HOUSE:
The American president said he was “not surprised” but “scandalized” by the death of Alexei Navalny.
“It is not clear what happened, but there can be no doubt that Navalny’s death was the consequence of what Putin and his henchmen did.”
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“The Russian authorities will tell their own story but make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death.”
“We are looking at what else we can do” to sanction Russia, added the head of the White House in response to a question from a journalist.
US SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN, ON THE SIDE OF THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE:
“Above all, if this information is accurate, our thoughts are with his wife and family. Beyond that, his death in a Russian prison (underscores) the weakness and rot at the heart of the system built by Putin. Russia is responsible for this.”
JAKE SULLIVAN, WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, IN AN NPR INTERVIEW:
“If confirmed, it is a terrible tragedy. And given the Russian government’s long and sordid history against its opponents, it raises real and obvious questions about what happened.”
NIKKI HALEY, CANDIDATE FOR THE REPUBLICAN INVESTITION FOR THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
“Donald Trump continues to side with Vladimir Putin, a man who kills his political opponents, takes American journalists hostage and has never hidden his desire to destroy America.”
FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON, ON X:
“In today’s Russia, free spirits are put in the gulag and sentenced to death. Anger and indignation. I salute the memory of Alexeï Navalny, his commitment, his courage. Thoughts for his family, his loved ones and for the Russian people.”
STÉPHANE SÉJOURNÉ, FRENCH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ON X:
“Alexei Navalny paid with his life for his resistance to a system of oppression. His death in a penal colony reminds us of the reality of Vladimir Putin’s regime.”
THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ, TO THE PRESS:
“I met Navalny here in Berlin while he was trying to recover in Germany from his attempted poisoning and I also spoke to him about the great courage it takes to return to his country. And he probably paid that courage of his life.”
ANNALENA BAERBOCK, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, ON
“Like no one else, Alexei Navalny was the symbol of a free and democratic Russia. This is precisely why he had to die.”
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODIMIR ZELENSKY, ADDRESSING THE PRESS IN MUNICH:
“It’s obvious: he was killed by Putin, as thousands of others have been tortured and martyred by this ‘creature’. Putin doesn’t care who dies as long as he keeps his job. And that’s “That’s why he shouldn’t keep anything. Putin should lose everything and answer for what he did.”
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK, ON X:
“This is terrible news. As the strongest defender of Russian democracy, Alexei Navalny has demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life.”
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, CHARLES MICHEL, ON X:
“Alexei Navalny fought for the values of freedom and democracy. For his ideals, he made the ultimate sacrifice. The European Union holds the Russian regime solely responsible for this tragic death.”
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION URSULA VON DER LEYEN, ON X:
“Putin fears nothing more than the dissent of his own people. A grim reminder of what Putin and his regime are all about. Let us unite in our fight to safeguard the freedom and security of those who dare to stand against him. autocracy.”
JENS STOLTENBERG, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL:
“We must establish all the facts and Russia must answer all serious questions about the circumstances of his death.”
DUTCH PRIME MINISTER MARK RUTTE, ON X:
Alexeï Navalny “had to pay for his fight with death while he was detained in the harshest and most inhumane conditions”.
BELGIAN PRIME MINISTER ALEXANDER DE CROO, ON X:
“His tragic death once again highlights why we will continue to support Ukraine. Russia will not prevail in Ukraine.”
LATVIAN PRESIDENT EDGARS RINKEVICS, ON X:
Alexei Navalny “has just been brutally murdered by the Kremlin. It’s a fact and it’s something you need to know about the true nature of the current Russian regime.”
CZECH FOREIGN MINISTER JAN LIPAVSKI:
“Russia treats its foreign policy like it treats its citizens. It has become a violent state that kills people dreaming of a better future, like Nemtsov or now Navalny – imprisoned and tortured to death for standing up against Putin.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN COUNCIL GIORGIA MELONI, IN A PRESS RELEASE:
“We express our deep condolences and hope that this disturbing event will be fully clarified.”
(Reuters offices, Jean-Stéphane Brosse for the French version)
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