Putin’s Announcement: Navalny Named in Proposed Prisoner Exchange
Putin, known for his reluctance to acknowledge his main opponent in Russia, Alexei Navalny, by name, appears to have shifted his stance following Navalny’s death. After securing his fifth term as president, Putin acknowledged Navalny’s passing, calling it a “sad event” during a press briefing.
Putin also hinted at the possibility of agreeing to include Navalny in a prisoner exchange. Navalny’s associates assert that he was murdered by Russian authorities while in an Arctic jail, though official reports cite natural causes. US President Joe Biden condemned Navalny’s death as further evidence of Putin’s brutality.
Putin revealed that he had been informed of a proposed swap involving Navalny by individuals outside his administration a few days prior to Navalny’s demise. He claimed he agreed to the swap on the condition that Navalny never returned, stating, “But, unfortunately, what happened, happened.”
Some analysts view Putin’s comments as an attempt to distance himself from Navalny’s death. Exiled Russian journalist Roman Dobrokhotov interpreted it as an effort to portray the situation as unfavorable for Putin, suggesting, “it was unprofitable for me, I wanted to exchange him.” However, Navalny’s chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, believes Putin’s remarks indicate he no longer feels the need to feign indifference.
Observers note that Putin had previously mentioned Navalny’s name only once in 2013, justifying his avoidance by portraying Navalny as one among many opposition figures, despite his significant performance in Moscow’s mayoral election.
Independent journalist Farida Rustamova suggests that Putin’s willingness to mention Navalny’s name now likely stems from a perception that Navalny no longer poses a threat.
During his remarks, Putin drew parallels between Navalny’s death in custody and similar incidents in the US, implying that deaths in custody occur in various countries.
Maria Pevchikh, a colleague of Navalny, expressed dismay at Putin’s cynicism. Pevchikh had earlier suggested that Navalny was on the verge of being exchanged for a Russian hitman serving a life sentence for murder in Germany.
This hitman, Vadim Krasikov, was convicted for the 2019 murder of a Chechen exile in Berlin. Negotiations for Navalny’s release reportedly involved two American citizens held in Russia and had reached an advanced stage before Navalny’s sudden demise.
Although the Kremlin never officially confirmed these negotiations, Putin had previously hinted at the possibility of swapping Krasikov for Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia. Another American, Paul Whelan, has been detained in Russia for over five years, while US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was arrested in October.
Putin refrained from mentioning Krasikov by name, describing him last month as someone who, “due to patriotic sentiments, eliminated a bandit in one of the European capitals,” implying that the murder was committed independently. However, judges at Krasikov’s trial concluded that the murder was orchestrated by Russian state authorities, leading to diplomatic repercussions between Russia and Germany.
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