US President Joe Biden stated on Friday that he was not surprised but outraged by the alleged death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
At the White House, Biden said, “He bravely stood up to the corruption, the violence, and all the bad things the Putin government was doing”.
“Putin is responsible for Alexei Navalny’s death”, Biden added.
The White House was looking for more information regarding Navalny’s death in a Russian correctional colony north of the Arctic Circle, where he was transferred less than two months ago.
The development has exacerbated already strained US-Russian relations.
The 47-year-old Navalny had been a vocal critic of Putin, and Biden had stated after meeting Putin in Geneva in June 2021 that Nalvany’s death may have disastrous ramifications for Putin.
Biden and Putin continue to be at odds over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, and Biden is pressing Republican hardliners in Congress to support additional funds to pay for more armament for Ukraine’s military.
Russia has been a big campaign issue for Biden as he seeks reelection in November.
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