17-2-2024 (WASHINGTON) US President Joe Biden, in a press statement on February 16, directly blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the death of Alexei Navalny, expressing his outrage and holding Putin and his government responsible for the tragic passing of the opposition leader.
While the exact circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death are still unclear, President Biden firmly asserted that it was a direct consequence of the actions of Putin and his associates. Speaking at the White House after Russian prison officials confirmed Navalny’s demise, Biden emphasized that the Russian authorities would present their own narrative. However, he left no room for doubt, stating unequivocally that Putin bears the responsibility for Navalny’s death.
President Biden also expressed his contemplation of additional measures to hold Russia accountable in the aftermath of Navalny’s passing. He commended the late opposition leader for his courageous stand against the corruption and violence of the Putin government. Responding to reporters’ questions, Biden stated, “We’re contemplating what else can be done. We’re looking at a whole number of options, that’s all I’ll say right now.”
Regarding Russia’s potential deployment of anti-satellite technology in space, President Biden assured reporters that there is no nuclear threat to the United States or any other part of the world. He acknowledged that Russia has previously denied such claims.
At the time of this report, the White House had not responded to inquiries about the specific measures being considered against Russia.
US officials are still gathering information about Navalny’s death in a Russian penal colony located north of the Arctic Circle, where he had been transferred less than two months ago.
The latest development and President Biden’s strong reaction have further strained the already bitter relations between the United States and Russia. Navalny, 47, was a prominent critic of President Putin, and Biden had previously warned that Navalny’s death would have severe consequences for Putin during their meeting in Geneva in June 2021.
President Biden and President Putin continue to be at odds over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago. Biden is urging Republican hardliners in Congress to support additional funding for Ukraine’s military and weaponry.
Russia has become a significant topic on the campaign trail as President Biden seeks re-election in November. His potential Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, recently sparked bipartisan outrage by suggesting that he would not defend NATO allies from Russia unless they paid more for the alliance’s common defense.
House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, the top Republican in Congress, has not scheduled a vote on a Senate bill for new funding for Ukraine. However, following Navalny’s death, he expressed the belief that the US and its allies should utilize every available means to cut off Putin’s ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states.
While attending a major security conference in Munich, Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated the US’s commitment to its NATO alliance obligations, which were established after World War II. Her statements highlighted the stark contrast between President Biden’s approach to global engagement and the isolationist views of former President Trump, who is considering running for president again.
Vice President Harris also met with Alexei Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, during the conference. A White House official confirmed that Harris expressed her sorrow and outrage over the reports of Navalny’s death.
In a bid to criticize Trump’s abandonment of NATO, President Biden’s re-election campaign released a new one-minute advertisement on February 16. The campaign plans to target the ad to 2.5 million American voters in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania who have ancestral ties to the NATO states bordering Russia.
