Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday termed the reports of Alexei Navalny’s demise in a Russian prison as “terrible news,” holding Russia accountable for the event. Harris, addressing the issue at the outset of her remarks, emphasized the need for confirmation and pointed out the incident as indicative of Putin’s harsh regime.
Quick Read
- US Vice President Kamala Harris labeled the reports of Alexei Navalny’s death in a Russian prison as “terrible news,” holding Russia accountable.
- Harris highlighted the need for confirmation of the reports, emphasizing the indicative nature of Navalny’s death regarding Putin’s brutality.
- Navalny, 47, was serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges, which he denied, after returning to Russia from Germany where he was treated for poisoning in 2020.
- President Joe Biden had previously warned Putin of “devastating” consequences for Russia if Navalny died in custody.
- Harris’s remarks came amid challenges in reassuring US allies and domestic political turmoil, including controversies over US aid and NATO commitments.
- National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned the US was verifying Navalny’s death, noting the Russian government’s history of targeting opponents raises questions about the circumstances.
- The Biden administration had demanded Navalny’s release, a stance reiterated by Biden in his initial phone call with Putin after taking office.
- Amid concerns over former President Donald Trump’s statements on NATO and US foreign policy, Harris aimed to reassure allies of the US’s commitment against isolationism and unilateralism.
- Trump’s recent comments on not defending NATO countries that don’t meet spending guidelines have sparked concerns among US allies and criticism from Biden, emphasizing the importance of US commitments and NATO’s collective-defense clause.
The Associated Press has the story:
Harris on Navalny’s reported death: “A further sign of Putin’s brutality
Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday termed the reports of Alexei Navalny’s demise in a Russian prison as “terrible news,” holding Russia accountable for the event. Harris, addressing the issue at the outset of her remarks, emphasized the need for confirmation and pointed out the incident as indicative of Putin’s harsh regime. Navalny, aged 47, was serving extensive sentences for charges he denied, following his return from Germany where he recovered from a poisoning incident in 2020. His arrest upon return in 2021 marked a significant point of US-Russia contention, with President Biden warning Putin of dire consequences if Navalny were to die in custody.
“We’ve all just received reports that Alexey Navalny has died in Russia. This is, of course, terrible news, which we are working to confirm,”
She added, “If confirmed this, would be a further sign of Putin’s brutality. Whatever story they tell, let us be clear: Russia is responsible.”
VP Kamala Harris said as she began her remarks at Munich Security Conference.
Amidst efforts to reassure US allies and navigate domestic political challenges, Harris’s commentary at the Munich Security Conference became a pivotal American response to Navalny’s reported death. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also mentioned efforts to verify the news, highlighting the grave implications of such an event given Russia’s track record with its adversaries.
Harris’s subsequent remarks aimed at bolstering US foreign policy assurances amidst concerns over former President Trump’s NATO stance and the stalling of US aid to Ukraine due to internal political disputes. Harris’s address sought to counter isolationist, authoritarian, and unilateral foreign policy approaches, drawing a stark contrast to Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his recent controversial statements about NATO obligations and defense spending.
The White House continues to emphasize the urgency of supporting Ukraine, framing it as a critical national security concern, with Harris scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Zelensky. Biden’s recent speeches have robustly defended US commitments to allies, directly challenging Trump’s positions and affirming America’s unwavering stance on NATO and international responsibilities.
