WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Leaders from around the world are reacting to reports Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died. Friday morning, Russian officials reported the 47-year-old died in prison, but U.S. officials are still working to confirm what happened.
President Joe Biden called Navalny a brave man who stood up to corruption and blamed Putin for his death.
“Russian authorities are going to tell their own story, but make no mistake make no mistake Putin is responsible,” said Biden.
Navalny, a lawyer by trade, grew to become Putin’s fiercest critic inside Russia. He launched a popular anti-corruption presidential campaign against the Russian leader in 2018.
Putin’s spokesperson said the cause of Navalny’s death is currently unknown and is being investigated. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at an international security conference in Germany where she met privately with Navalny’s wife.
“If confirmed, this would be a further sign of Putin’s brutality,” she said.
President Biden says Russia is already facing steep sanctions and losses on the battlefield in its war against Ukraine.
“And we’re contemplating what else can be done,” he added.
Biden says this action from Putin underscores the need for the U.S. to protect Ukraine and other U.S. allies from Russian aggression.
He says House Republicans must pass foreign aid as soon as possible.