UK says fact probably the most ‘dangerous weapon’ towards Russia because it hits again at Putin’s denial over Alexei Navalny’s demise | EUROtoday

Yvette Cooper has mentioned fact is probably the most “dangerous weapon” towards Russia as she hit again at Moscow’s denials that it was concerned within the demise of Putin’s arch-rival Alexei Navalny.

Britain and its European allies mentioned on Saturday that the opposition chief had died after being poisoned with a deadly toxin present in dart frogs in South America.

After the findings had been introduced by Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, the overseas secretary pinned the blame squarely on the Kremlin and mentioned solely Russia had the “means, motive and opportunity” to hold out such an assault.

The Russian embassy in London hit again and described the announcement because the “feeble-mindedness of Western fabulists” because it denied duty.

But, doubling down on the claims on Sunday, Ms Cooper quoted Navalny as she mentioned fact was probably the most “dangerous weapon” towards Russia.

She additionally warned new sanctions towards Moscow may comply with from Britain and its allies as she mentioned the Cold War peace dividend “has gone”.

Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Ms Cooper mentioned accusation was “deeply serious”.

She added: “The statement that we made yesterday shows that we have the evidence.”

Analysis of samples from Navalny’s physique revealed the presence of a toxin referred to as Epibatidine.

The UK and its allies say there isn’t a harmless rationalization for its presence, that it’s not present in Russia and customarily produced by frogs solely discovered within the wild.

The 5 European nations that referred to as out Russia have already reported the Kremlin to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

But Ms Cooper urged additional sanctions may comply with: “We continue to look at coordinated action, including increasing sanctions on the Russian regime.

“As you know, we have been pursuing this as part of our response to the brutal invasion of Ukraine, where we are also coming up to the fourth anniversary of that invasion as well.

“We believe that it is the partnerships that we build abroad that make us stronger at home. It is by acting alongside our European allies, alongside allies across the world, that we do maintain that pressure on the Russian regime.”

She added: “The other thing that I would say specifically about Alexei Navalny is one of the things he said was ‘tell the truth, spread the truth’, because that is the most dangerous weapon of all.

“That was his comment about the Russian regime. He is no longer able to do that, but that is why we are continuing to do that for him, and for his widow as well.”

A press release from the Russian embassy in London has denied all involvement in Mr Navalny’s demise.

It mentioned: “There is no reason whatsoever to credit such ‘findings’ by Western ‘experts’. As with the Skripal case, there are strident accusations, media hysteria, zero evidence, and a host of questions the accusers would rather ignore. So what was it in the end – poison derived from the skin of a South American frog or Novichok?”

The statement added: “We have become accustomed to the feeble-mindedness of Western fabulists. One must ask what kind of person would believe this nonsense about a frog.

“Yet what truly shocks is the method now favoured 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 the 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, saying it was “obviously not true” that Nigel Farage is “soft on Russia”, and a bit “pro-Putin”.

On Saturday the PM described Reform as “pro-Putin”. Mr Yusuf mentioned: “That’s obviously not true.

“I mean, Nigel is the only political leader in this country who has confirmed on air that he would indeed shoot down Russian aircraft if they encroach into Nato airspace.

“Not a single other political leader said that, nor has Keir Starmer.”