01:06State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said new sanctions would be imposed on Russia following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, during press briefing in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"We will be announcing a major sanctions package on Friday to hold Russia accountable for new volunteers death in prison, and for its actions over the course of the vicious and brutal war they have waged in Ukraine for the past two years," he claimed.
Miller also commented on the situation in Ukraine and Russia's recent military successes, saying that Congress must pass a new funding bill 'to advance US national security interests'.
"It's now more clear than ever what the stakes are in Ukraine. Without more support from Congress Ukraine will not be able to replenish its air defences and its ammunition supplies to help protect itself from Russia's aggression," Miller continued.
US lawmakers are currently deadlocked on a new multi-billion dollar funding package for Ukraine. While the Senate approved the $95 billion bill for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the lower chamber would not be 'rushed' into backing more aid. It follows concerns among Republicans about the scale of the funding.
Jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny passed away at the age of 47, according to a report from the Russian prison service on Friday, February 16. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US President Joe Biden called the incident 'more proof of Putin's brutality', while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia had 'serious questions to answer'. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. None provided any 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.
'Hold Russia accountable' - US State Department confirms new sanctions coming against Moscow over Navalny's death
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said new sanctions would be imposed on Russia following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, during press briefing in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"We will be announcing a major sanctions package on Friday to hold Russia accountable for new volunteers death in prison, and for its actions over the course of the vicious and brutal war they have waged in Ukraine for the past two years," he claimed.
Miller also commented on the situation in Ukraine and Russia's recent military successes, saying that Congress must pass a new funding bill 'to advance US national security interests'.
"It's now more clear than ever what the stakes are in Ukraine. Without more support from Congress Ukraine will not be able to replenish its air defences and its ammunition supplies to help protect itself from Russia's aggression," Miller continued.
US lawmakers are currently deadlocked on a new multi-billion dollar funding package for Ukraine. While the Senate approved the $95 billion bill for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the lower chamber would not be 'rushed' into backing more aid. It follows concerns among Republicans about the scale of the funding.
Jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny passed away at the age of 47, according to a report from the Russian prison service on Friday, February 16. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US President Joe Biden called the incident 'more proof of Putin's brutality', while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia had 'serious questions to answer'. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. None provided any 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.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said new sanctions would be imposed on Russia following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, during press briefing in Washington DC on Tuesday.
"We will be announcing a major sanctions package on Friday to hold Russia accountable for new volunteers death in prison, and for its actions over the course of the vicious and brutal war they have waged in Ukraine for the past two years," he claimed.
Miller also commented on the situation in Ukraine and Russia's recent military successes, saying that Congress must pass a new funding bill 'to advance US national security interests'.
"It's now more clear than ever what the stakes are in Ukraine. Without more support from Congress Ukraine will not be able to replenish its air defences and its ammunition supplies to help protect itself from Russia's aggression," Miller continued.
US lawmakers are currently deadlocked on a new multi-billion dollar funding package for Ukraine. While the Senate approved the $95 billion bill for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the lower chamber would not be 'rushed' into backing more aid. It follows concerns among Republicans about the scale of the funding.
Jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny passed away at the age of 47, according to a report from the Russian prison service on Friday, February 16. The cause of death had not been released at the time of publication.
US President Joe Biden called the incident 'more proof of Putin's brutality', while NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia had 'serious questions to answer'. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that it was 'obvious' that Vladimir Putin was behind the death. None provided any 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.