UK says truth the most ‘dangerous weapon’ against Russia as it hits back at Putin’s denial over Alexei Navalny’s death
Responding to Moscow’s denials that it had a hand in the death of Putin’s arch-rival Alexei Navalny, Yvette Cooper said the truth was the most “dangerous weapon” against Russia.
Britain and its European allies said on Saturday that the opposition leader died after being poisoned with a lethal toxin found in South American dart frogs.
After the findings were announced by Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, the foreign minister placed the blame squarely on the Kremlin, saying only Russia had the “means, justification and opportunity” to carry out such an attack.
The Russian embassy in London denied responsibility for this statement, describing it as “the bigotedness of Western storytellers”.
But Ms Cooper doubled down on the claims on Sunday, quoting Navalny as saying the truth was the most “dangerous weapon” against Russia.
He also warned that Britain and its allies could impose new sanctions against Moscow, saying the dividends of Cold War peace were “gone”.
Speaking to the BBC Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg Ms Cooper said on the program the accusation was “extremely serious”.
He added: “The statement we made yesterday shows that we have the evidence.”
Analysis of samples taken from Navalny’s body revealed the presence of a toxin called Epibatidine.
The UK and its allies say there is no innocent explanation for its existence, that it is not found in Russia and is generally produced by frogs only found in the wild.
Addressing Russia, five European countries reported the Kremlin to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
But Ms Cooper suggested further sanctions could be coming: “We continue to look at coordinated actions, including increasing sanctions against the Russian regime.
“As you know, we are pursuing this as part of our response to the brutal occupation of Ukraine as we approach the fourth anniversary of the invasion.
“We believe that it is the partnerships we build abroad that make us stronger at home. We only maintain pressure on the Russian regime by acting together with our European allies and allies around the world.”
He added: “The other thing I would say specifically about Alexei Navalny is that one of the things he says is ‘tell the truth, spread the truth’, because that is the most dangerous weapon.
“This was his comment on the Russian regime. He can’t do this anymore, but that’s why we continue to do this for him and for his widow.”
A statement from the Russian embassy in London denied any involvement in Mr Navalny’s death.
The report said: “There is no reason to give credence to such ‘findings’ of Western ‘experts’. As in the Skripal case, there are harsh accusations, media hysteria, zero evidence and a host of questions that the accusers would rather ignore. So what ultimately happened? Poison from the skin of a South American frog or Novichok?”
The following statements were made in the statement: “We have become accustomed to the stupidity of Western storytellers. We have to ask what kind of person would believe this nonsense about frogs.”
“But what is truly shocking is the method currently preferred by Western politicians: necro propaganda. This is not a quest for justice, but a mockery of the dead.
“Even after the death of the Russian citizen, London and European capitals cannot allow him to rest in peace, a fact that speaks volumes about those who instigated this campaign.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK’s head of policy, Zia Yusuf, hit back at Keir Starmer and said it was “clearly untrue” that Nigel Farage was “soft on Russia” and a bit “pro-Putin”.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister described Reform as “pro-Putin”. Mr Yusuf said: “This is absolutely not true.
“I mean, Nigel is the only political leader in this country to confirm live on air that he would actually shoot down Russian planes if they entered NATO airspace.
“No other political leader or Keir Starmer has said that.”
