Washington:
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned Sunday that Russia will face “consequences” if hunger-striking Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny dies.
Jailed opposition leader Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent opponent, was arrested in January upon returning to Russia right after recovering from a close to-fatal poisoning attack he says was orchestrated by Moscow.
“In terms of the specific measures we would undertake, we are looking at a variety of different costs that we would impose, and I’m not going to telegraph that publicly at this point,” Sullivan told CNN.
“But we have communicated that there will be consequences if Mr. Navalny dies.”
The 44-year-old Russian started a hunger strike on March 31 to demand appropriate health-related therapy for back discomfort and numbness in his legs and hands.
On Saturday, Navalny’s physicians mentioned his well being had swiftly deteriorated and demanded prison officials grant them quick access.
“Our patient can die any minute,” cardiologist Yaroslav Ashikhmin mentioned, pointing to Navalny’s higher potassium levels and saying he should really be moved to intensive care.
Both France and Germany on Sunday joined a developing international chorus of protest at Navalny’s therapy.
Sullivan mentioned the White House had told the Kremlin that Moscow would be “held accountable by the international community” for what occurs to Navalny when in Russian custody.
US President Joe Biden mentioned Saturday that Navalny’s predicament was “totally unfair,” but he is facing criticism for not bringing up the dissident’s therapy in a phone contact to Putin last week or getting more forthright in his public comments.
Sullivan mentioned the White House had currently produced its position clear to Russia straight and that “the best way to deal with this issue is privately, and through diplomatic channels direct to the uppermost levels of the Russian government.”
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