Navalny was poisoned by Kremlin, say 5 European countries
Deutsche Welle
February 14, 2026
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Five European countries—UK, France, Sweden, Germany, and Netherlands—have concluded that Russia was responsible for the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, based on scientific analysis of samples from his case. The toxins found in his system, specifically epibatidine, a highly potent poison derived from South American frogs, were traced back to state involvement due to Russia's unique access and disregard for international law. The foreign ministers emphasized that only the Russian government had both the means and motive to carry out such an act, given Navalny's role as a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin.
Navalny, a former lawyer turned political activist, was known for his efforts to combat corruption and electoral fraud in Russia under Putin's regime. He survived a previous poisoning attempt in 2020 using Novichok, another nerve agent linked to Russian military origins. Navalny was jailed in 2023 on what many believe were politically motivated charges of embezzlement, and he died in February 2024 under mysterious circumstances. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has been vocal in her accusations against the Kremlin, calling Putin a murderer and demanding accountability.
The European countries' statement marks a significant step in holding Russia accountable for its actions. By reporting the case to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), they aim to highlight treaty violations and ensure justice is served. This move underscores the global concern over state-sponsored poisonings and their implications for international law and security. Navalny's poisoning not only sheds light on Russia's tactics but also raises broader questions about how other nations respond to such violations, setting a precedent for addressing similar acts in the future.
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/14/2026