European Nations Issue Joint Statement
Five European nations—the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands—have issued a joint statement today, Saturday, February 14, 2026, directly blaming the Russian state for the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The coalition asserts that Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a potent toxin derived from poison dart frogs, leading to his death in an Arctic penal colony two years ago.
The statement follows analyses of samples from Navalny's body, which the nations claim 'conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine.' They highlight that this neurotoxin is found naturally in South American dart frogs and is not indigenous to Russia, suggesting 'no innocent explanation for its presence' in Navalny's system.
Details of the Alleged Poisoning
Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died on February 16, 2024, while serving a 19-year sentence in an Arctic penal colony. Russian authorities at the time attributed his death to 'natural causes,' specifically an episode of high blood pressure brought about by a chronic heart arrhythmia.
However, the European nations' joint declaration refutes this, stating that 'given the toxicity of epibatidine and reported symptoms, poisoning was highly likely the cause of his death.' They further contend that 'only the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison to him' during his imprisonment.
Epibatidine is described as a neurotoxin significantly more potent than morphine, acting to inhibit nerve action by blocking nicotinic receptors, which can lead to muscle paralysis and respiratory arrest.
International Repercussions and Kremlin's Response
The five European countries are reporting Russia to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), alleging a breach of both the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. This move underscores growing international concern over Russia's adherence to chemical weapons treaties, particularly following Navalny's previous poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent in August 2020.
The Kremlin has consistently denied any involvement in Navalny's death, dismissing accusations as 'utterly unfounded' and 'absolutely rabid.' Russian officials have maintained that Navalny died of natural causes and have accused Western nations of making 'sweeping accusations' without waiting for official forensic results.
Yulia Navalnaya, Alexei Navalny's widow, has publicly stated her conviction that her husband was poisoned, asserting that the European findings provide 'science-proven facts' to support her belief that 'Putin killed Alexei with chemical weapon.'
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