Joe Biden convened with Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, and their daughter, Dasha Navalnaya, in California on Thursday. Navalny, a prominent opposition figure to Russian President Vladimir Putin, passed away in an Arctic penal colony last Friday following his imprisonment by the Kremlin.
The gathering in San Francisco preceded significant new sanctions set to be levied by the United States against Russia on Friday, coinciding with the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
In a statement released through official channels, President Biden expressed his condolences to Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya for their profound loss, honoring the enduring legacy of courage left behind by Alexei Navalny. Biden asserted that Navalny’s impact persists through the continued struggle for democracy and human rights in Russia.
Biden had previously attributed Navalny’s demise directly to Putin, stating unequivocally, “There is no doubt that the death of Navalny is a consequence of something Putin and his thugs did.”
Today, I met with Yulia and Dasha Navalnaya – Aleksey Navalny's loved ones – to express my condolences for their devastating loss.
Aleksey's legacy of courage will live on in Yulia and Dasha, and the countless people across Russia fighting for democracy and human rights. pic.twitter.com/aiCcgTrws3
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 22, 2024
In a tweet following the meeting, Biden reiterated his sentiments, emphasizing Navalny’s enduring influence and the determination of those in Russia fighting for democratic principles and human rights.
Addressing reporters after the encounter, President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to holding Putin accountable for Navalny’s death, announcing forthcoming sanctions against the Russian leader. He underscored the unwavering resolve of the United States in this regard.
The White House echoed Biden’s sentiments, praising Navalny’s extraordinary bravery and dedication to combating corruption while advocating for a free and democratic Russia. The administration emphasized its intention to implement substantial sanctions against Russia in response to Navalny’s passing, as well as Russia’s ongoing repression and aggression, including its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
The Treasury Department is poised to impose over 500 new sanctions on Russia, marking the largest single tranche of penalties since the outset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These sanctions, while targeting those implicated in Navalny’s death, primarily aim at crippling what has been described as “Putin’s war machine” and closing gaps in existing sanctions.
Yulia Navalnaya, who had previously avoided the political spotlight, declared her intent to carry forward her late husband’s work in a video address earlier in the week, rallying Russians to join her in the pursuit of a free and equitable society.
Having played a pivotal role in advocating for Navalny’s treatment and accompanying him during critical junctures, such as his poisoning and subsequent medical care in Germany, Navalnaya remains resolute in her commitment to protecting her children from the repercussions of her husband’s activism.
Despite the Kremlin’s denial of involvement in Navalny’s demise, tensions between Putin and Biden escalated, with Putin rebuking Biden’s characterization of him earlier in the week as a “crazy SOB,” deeming the comments “rude.”
