05:17Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was 'obviously killed by Putin' while speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday.
“It has just become known to us that Alexei Navalny died in a Russian prison, obviously he was killed by Putin, like thousands of those who were tortured because of this one creature,” Zelensky said.
“He doesn't care who dies so long as he maintains his position. And that is why he should not save anything. Putin must lose everything, must lose everything and be held accountable for what he has done,” he added.
In turn, Scholz described Navalny’s passing as 'depressing', adding that the Russian activist had paid for his 'courage' with his death.
“We know what the regime is like now: those who criticize, those who advocate democracy, are worried about their lives and safety. We are stunned. We think about his wife, children, friends and followers,” the chancellor said.
“This is a sign of how Russia has changed. It’s a pity, this process began a long time ago, and she left democracy. This is no longer a democracy," he continued.
Alexei Navalny's death was reported by Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service on Friday. He was 47. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also claimed that 'Russia is responsible', while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. The US and Ukraine have provided no evidence to back their assertions.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov accused Western leaders of making 'entirely insane' and 'entirely unacceptable' statements. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that "the instant reaction of NATO leaders to Navalny's death in the form of direct accusations against Russia is self-disclosing."
"There is no forensic examination yet, but the West already has conclusions ready," Zakharova added.
Navalny returned to Moscow in January 2021, after being treated in Germany for an alleged poisoning attempt while on a flight in Russia in August 2020.
He was initially detained at the airport in the Russian capital, and sentenced to two and a half years in jail for a parole violation stemming from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. The politician was subsequently charged with fraud and contempt of court, and given another nine years in prison.
Navalny claimed all accusations against him were politically motivated. In August 2023, he received another 19 years for inciting and financing extremism, among other charges.
'Obviously he was killed by Putin' - Zelensky on death of Russian opposition figure Navalny
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was 'obviously killed by Putin' while speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday.
“It has just become known to us that Alexei Navalny died in a Russian prison, obviously he was killed by Putin, like thousands of those who were tortured because of this one creature,” Zelensky said.
“He doesn't care who dies so long as he maintains his position. And that is why he should not save anything. Putin must lose everything, must lose everything and be held accountable for what he has done,” he added.
In turn, Scholz described Navalny’s passing as 'depressing', adding that the Russian activist had paid for his 'courage' with his death.
“We know what the regime is like now: those who criticize, those who advocate democracy, are worried about their lives and safety. We are stunned. We think about his wife, children, friends and followers,” the chancellor said.
“This is a sign of how Russia has changed. It’s a pity, this process began a long time ago, and she left democracy. This is no longer a democracy," he continued.
Alexei Navalny's death was reported by Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service on Friday. He was 47. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also claimed that 'Russia is responsible', while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. The US and Ukraine have provided no evidence to back their assertions.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov accused Western leaders of making 'entirely insane' and 'entirely unacceptable' statements. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that "the instant reaction of NATO leaders to Navalny's death in the form of direct accusations against Russia is self-disclosing."
"There is no forensic examination yet, but the West already has conclusions ready," Zakharova added.
Navalny returned to Moscow in January 2021, after being treated in Germany for an alleged poisoning attempt while on a flight in Russia in August 2020.
He was initially detained at the airport in the Russian capital, and sentenced to two and a half years in jail for a parole violation stemming from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. The politician was subsequently charged with fraud and contempt of court, and given another nine years in prison.
Navalny claimed all accusations against him were politically motivated. In August 2023, he received another 19 years for inciting and financing extremism, among other charges.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was 'obviously killed by Putin' while speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday.
“It has just become known to us that Alexei Navalny died in a Russian prison, obviously he was killed by Putin, like thousands of those who were tortured because of this one creature,” Zelensky said.
“He doesn't care who dies so long as he maintains his position. And that is why he should not save anything. Putin must lose everything, must lose everything and be held accountable for what he has done,” he added.
In turn, Scholz described Navalny’s passing as 'depressing', adding that the Russian activist had paid for his 'courage' with his death.
“We know what the regime is like now: those who criticize, those who advocate democracy, are worried about their lives and safety. We are stunned. We think about his wife, children, friends and followers,” the chancellor said.
“This is a sign of how Russia has changed. It’s a pity, this process began a long time ago, and she left democracy. This is no longer a democracy," he continued.
Alexei Navalny's death was reported by Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service on Friday. He was 47. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also claimed that 'Russia is responsible', while Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. The US and Ukraine have provided no evidence to back their assertions.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov accused Western leaders of making 'entirely insane' and 'entirely unacceptable' statements. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that "the instant reaction of NATO leaders to Navalny's death in the form of direct accusations against Russia is self-disclosing."
"There is no forensic examination yet, but the West already has conclusions ready," Zakharova added.
Navalny returned to Moscow in January 2021, after being treated in Germany for an alleged poisoning attempt while on a flight in Russia in August 2020.
He was initially detained at the airport in the Russian capital, and sentenced to two and a half years in jail for a parole violation stemming from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. The politician was subsequently charged with fraud and contempt of court, and given another nine years in prison.
Navalny claimed all accusations against him were politically motivated. In August 2023, he received another 19 years for inciting and financing extremism, among other charges.