On the murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia
B-9-2024-0152
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Michael Gahler, Andrius Kubilius, Rasa Juknevičienė, Željana Zovko, Inese Vaidere
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Parliament's resolution responds to the murder of Alexei Navalny in prison on 16 February 2024 and demands EU action for political prisoners and civil society in Russia.¶¶ It holds the Russian state and Putin responsible, demands an international independent investigation, and calls for the release of all political prisoners in Russia.¶¶ It asks EU institutions to declare the forthcoming presidential elections and Putin's presidency illegitimate, and to adopt a large-scale personal and sectoral sanctions list.¶¶ It calls for a long-term EU strategy and resources to support Russian democratic forces and civil society, including in exile, and to set conditions for Western assistance to Russia's democratic transition.¶¶¶ It calls on member states and Western partners to keep supporting Ukraine militarily, politically and economically, and to see Ukraine's victory and Euro-Atlantic integration as a tool for change in the Eastern neighbourhood.¶¶
Key points
- Parliament expresses outrage at the murder of Alexei Navalny and says full responsibility lies with the Russian state and Putin.¶
- It pays tribute to Navalny's memory and offers condolences to his wife Yulia Navalnaya, their children, his mother, family, friends, collaborators and supporters.¶
- It demands an international and independent investigation into the murder.¶
- It stands with independent Russian civil society and the democratic opposition and calls for the release of all political prisoners in Russia.¶
- It calls for EU institutions to declare the forthcoming presidential elections and Putin's presidency illegitimate.¶
- It calls for the EU to adopt a comprehensive large-scale personal and sectoral sanctions list targeting Putin and his closest political and economic entourage.¶
- It calls for a comprehensive long-term EU vision and strategy to help Russian democratic forces and civil society build a sustainable democracy after Putin's regime collapses.¶
- It calls for the EU to invest all necessary resources in this strategy to realise Navalny's dream and remove the threat of an aggressive Russian Federation.¶
- It says the strategy should include structural support and engagement with Russian democratic forces and civil society in Russia and in exile, and set conditions for Western assistance; it calls for immediate publication of a plan for EU political relations with a democratic Russia.¶
- It calls on member states and Western partners to treat Ukraine's victory and Euro-Atlantic integration as a precondition for security and a key instrument for positive change in Belarus and Russia.¶
- It stresses that the EU, member states and like-minded partners must continue political, economic and military support for Ukraine, and that Ukraine's victory and the end of the Putin regime would be Navalny's ultimate posthumous victory.¶
Who is affected
- EU institutions, which are asked to declare the Russian elections illegitimate, adopt sanctions and publish a plan for relations with a democratic Russia.¶¶¶
- Member states and Western partners, which are urged to continue political, economic and military support for Ukraine.¶¶
- Russian political prisoners, for whom the resolution calls for release.¶
- Russian democratic forces and civil society in Russia and in exile, which the EU is asked to support structurally and regularly.¶
- Putin and his closest political and economic entourage, who would be targeted by a large-scale EU sanctions list.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 16 February 2024: date Alexei Navalny was murdered in prison.¶
- February 2021: date from which Alexei Navalny had been imprisoned.
- 2021: year the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded to Alexei Navalny.
- 19 February 2024: date of the High Representative's statement on the death of Alexei Navalny.¶