European states accuse Russia of Navanlny poisoning
France 24
by FRANCE24February 14, 2026
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European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, have accused Russia of poisoning opposition figure Alexei Navalny with a rare and lethal toxin while he was incarcerated in 2024. The accusations were made during the Munich Security Conference, with the five nations issuing a joint statement based on analyses of samples taken from Navalny’s body. These findings have led them to conclude that Navalny was indeed poisoned, following his death in an Arctic prison while serving a 19-year sentence for criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Navalny, a prominent critic of Putin, had previously survived a similar poisoning attempt in 2021 when he was found with a nerve agent known as "Novichok." His recovery and subsequent imprisonment have drawn international attention, with many viewing his case as a symbol of Russia’s suppression of political dissent. The latest accusations come amid growing tensions between Moscow and the West over issues including Ukraine, cybersecurity, and human rights.
The European countries’ statement reflects a broader shift in how global powers are addressing suspected state-sponsored attacks
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/14/2026