we arejust reminding our we are just reminding our viewers of this developing story that is just coming to earth from russia in the last hour. russia's prison authorities have announced that the leading kremlin critic alexei navalny has died. a statement online said that mr navalny felt poorly after a walk and lost consciousness soon afterwards and that statement added that doctors had arrived straightaway but all attempts at resuscitation had failed. mr navalny was seen as vladimir putin's most vociferous critic. he had been serving a 19 yearjail term for offences widely considered to be politically motivated. he was a staunch critic of the kremlin, he led russia's anti—corruption led russia's anti—corru ption movement. led russia's anti—corruption movement. one of mr navalny�*s senior aides has accused the russian government of killing him. mr navalny had survived, he had said in

the past, a number of attempts by russia's security forces the fsb of trying to kill him. i am joined by our reporters and luke harding from the guardian. this was a man who was thorn in vladimir putin's side. someone who was a very vocal critic of the kremlin, so much so that he chose to return to russia, was it in 2021? it came back to moscow and that was when he was arrested again. that is correct and what happened was, what we think is happening to alexei navalny, it illustrates a new low publisher, for democracy in russia. if we think back to the time when vladimir putin came to power

more than 20 years ago, it was a fledgling multiparty democracy. at one point vladimir putin said that russia may, would not be opposed to joining nato on equal terms and fast forward to 2021 when alexei navalny was jailed, to what happened afterwards, up until the full scale invasion of ukraine, it looks as though the masks are off, the gloves are off and even though russia initially pretended that it wasn't its forces attacking ukraine back in 2014, now it is clear that it was russian forces and it is russia attacking ukraine now, it is clear that the domestic political position has been completely quashed within russia. key opponent of vladimir

putin has apparently died in jail. so it is very difficult to see russia as anything but an increasingly repressive state where if you compete against vladimir putin, you are facing a mortal danger. i putin, you are facing a mortal dancer. , , ., putin, you are facing a mortal dancer. , ,, putin, you are facing a mortal daner. , y., ., danger. i will bring you some of the international— danger. i will bring you some of the international reaction _ danger. i will bring you some of the international reaction coming - danger. i will bring you some of the international reaction coming into l international reaction coming into the use of mystic navalny�*s reported death, according to the prison authorities have russia, although i should say his press secretary says they have not had confirmation of that use yet, though it is highly likely it is a case. latvia's president has said, mr navalny was brutally murdered by the kremlin. the statement went on to say, this show her true nature of russia's current regime and latvia's foreign

minister has written, we are deeply distraught to learn about the death of alexei navalny. his death is fully on the conscience of putting plasma criminal regime. my condolences to his family and loved ones. fran says, mr navalny paid with his side for resisting russia's oppression. the czech foreign minister released a statement saying, it is still true thatjust as russia behaves in its foreign policy, it also behaves towards its citizens. it is turned into work by that state who kills people. the eu has said, he fought for values of freedom and democracy and they extend their condolences to the family and to those who fight for democracy. i am stilljoined by luke harding from the guardian newspaper. luke, uke met mr navalny, you have

lived in the country for a long time and written a lot about the relationship between critics of the kremlin and the anti—corruption movement. let me ask you this again for viewers who arejust movement. let me ask you this again for viewers who are justjoining us about your recollections of that time that you've met mr navalny. i met him in moscow in 2010 and at that point he was well known inside russia but perhaps not internationally famous. he was an amazing guy. he is tall, clever, quick and i was investigating corruption or alleging corruption in a kind of russian state industry and navalny took to a whiteboard and was sketching diagrams of the money trail and links between kremlin actors. what is interesting is that

navalny, i think he would consider himself to be a patriot. he is not against russia, he is pro—russian but what he wanted was a more liberal, transparent, democratic and accountable russia and with great bravery he has been shining a light in dark places. he has been releasing videos about the alleged fortunes of people at the top of the kremlin, of vladimir putin the president but also dmitri mendes who was for a while prime minister. and in that circle of former kgb officers at the top of the state. and it was clear that these journalistic antiquities, they really irritated the people in power. there was a series of criminal cases against him designed to shut him up and they didn't work. his movement, which when i saw him was quite small, it became a

national protest movement against the kremlin impunity and misrule. and really he has played a terrible price for those activities. let and really he has played a terrible price for those activities.— price for those activities. let me ask ou price for those activities. let me ask you this _ price for those activities. let me ask you this quickly, _ price for those activities. let me ask you this quickly, because . price for those activities. let mej ask you this quickly, because we price for those activities. let me - ask you this quickly, because we are talking about mr navalny the critic of the kremlin, but he is also mr navalny who had a family. tell us more about who he leaves behind it where they are. he more about who he leaves behind it where they are-— where they are. he has a wife, he has a daughter— where they are. he has a wife, he has a daughter who _ where they are. he has a wife, he has a daughter who is _ where they are. he has a wife, he has a daughter who is in the - where they are. he has a wife, he has a daughter who is in the us, i where they are. he has a wife, he i has a daughter who is in the us, who has a daughter who is in the us, who has been studying there, he has a son and what is interesting is when he had access to social media, he was still via his lawyers communicating until quite recently from jail, communicating until quite recently fromjail, it communicating until quite recently from jail, it was very clear he was a family man. there were photos of him smiling, relaxing. there were christmas cards where he would

photoshop himself in there. his wife has been an campaigner, she was with him in germany when he was recovering from another truck poisoning in berlin and at his side. your heart goes out to them because it is not surprising news for them, this is something that they have perhaps been anticipating for a long time. nonetheless, it is personally devastating for them and one feels complete sympathy at their loss, at their sorrow. complete sympathy at their loss, at their sorrow-— complete sympathy at their loss, at their sorrow. luke harding from the guardian newspaper. _ their sorrow. luke harding from the guardian newspaper. do _ their sorrow. luke harding from the guardian newspaper. do stay - their sorrow. luke harding from the guardian newspaper. do stay with l their sorrow. luke harding from the i guardian newspaper. do stay with us. some insight there from a journalist who has met mr navalny and has covered russia extensively for a

number of years. we are getting some reaction coming into us from alexei navalny�*s age. he says we have no basis to believe state propaganda. he says, if it is true, then it is putin who killed navalny. so age close to mr navalny accusing the russian government and the president directly of being responsible for this reported death of alexei navalny and it is russia two prison authorities who released a statement saying he died in prison. my reaction coming in from nato, jens stoltenberg says russia has some very serious questions to answer. as we continue to get international reaction, we can go live now to munich and join our chief international correspondent. you are at this munich summit. i'm sure it

usesjust filtering in at this munich summit. i'm sure it uses just filtering in of mr navalny�*s dead. what reaction are you getting so far? you navalny's dead. what reaction are you getting so far?— you getting so far? you 'ust mentioned i you getting so far? you 'ust mentioned the i you getting so far? you just mentioned the secretary . you getting so far? you just - mentioned the secretary generaljens stoltenberg, a leading figure at this munich security conference and his response will very much be echoed by so many attending this conference. that use shot like a bolt of electricity inside the halls just behind me, i was here where the media are gathered and we have heard that a minute's silence has already been observed and we have heard it from our guest, the foreign minister of poland. he was inside the hall when it happened. what was your first reaction? mr; when it happened. what was your first reaction?— when it happened. what was your first reaction? my heart goes out to the navalny — first reaction? my heart goes out to the navalny family _ first reaction? my heart goes out to the navalny family and _ first reaction? my heart goes out to the navalny family and to _ first reaction? my heart goes out to the navalny family and to all - first reaction? my heart goes out to the navalny family and to all those | the navalny family and to all those russian _ the navalny family and to all those russian democrats for whom he was a here _ russian democrats for whom he was a here he _ russian democrats for whom he was a here he is_ russian democrats for whom he was a here he is a _ russian democrats for whom he was a hero. he is a victim of russian fascism — hero. he is a victim of russian fascism he _ hero. he is a victim of russian fascism. he will probably be remembered as the best president of

russia _ remembered as the best president of russia that russia will never have. some _ russia that russia will never have. some have — russia that russia will never have. some have it commented wasn't a shock it was just a matter of time, he was moved in to harsh conditions in a penal colony in the arctic circle. ~ . , . in a penal colony in the arctic circle. ~ ., , ., ., circle. what is at your worry? putin has sent death _ circle. what is at your worry? putin has sent death squads _ circle. what is at your worry? putin has sent death squads to _ circle. what is at your worry? putin has sent death squads to western l has sent death squads to western europe _ has sent death squads to western europe. navalny challenged him. he was beyond brave. not only in facing up was beyond brave. not only in facing up to— was beyond brave. not only in facing up to the _ was beyond brave. not only in facing up to the russian dictator, but also in telling _ up to the russian dictator, but also in telling the russian people what they perhaps didn't need to hear, namety— they perhaps didn't need to hear, namely that the invasion of ukraine was a _ namely that the invasion of ukraine was a mistake, that russia needs to withdraw— was a mistake, that russia needs to withdraw to — was a mistake, that russia needs to withdraw to the international border and in _ withdraw to the international border and in the _ withdraw to the international border and in the future russia needs to pay reparations to kuwait. to say this to _ pay reparations to kuwait. to say this to your— pay reparations to kuwait. to say this to your electorate, it takes real political courage. we this to your electorate, it takes real political courage.— real political courage. we are waitinu real political courage. we are waiting for — real political courage. we are waiting for the _ real political courage. we are waiting for the russian - real political courage. we are - waiting for the russian authorities to explain what happened. we have heard from the prison service as he went for a bore, he felt faint, he

fell unconscious and then he died —— but he went for a walk. in your mind, is there any doubt? ihe but he went for a walk. in your mind, is there any doubt? he did nothin: mind, is there any doubt? he did nothing wrong. — mind, is there any doubt? he did nothing wrong, he _ mind, is there any doubt? he did nothing wrong, he was _ mind, is there any doubt? he did l nothing wrong, he was imprisoned mind, is there any doubt? he did - nothing wrong, he was imprisoned for a fake. _ nothing wrong, he was imprisoned for a take. on _ nothing wrong, he was imprisoned for a fake, on charges and even if nobody— a fake, on charges and even if nobody pulled the trigger, we know it was— nobody pulled the trigger, we know it was a _ nobody pulled the trigger, we know it was a conditions that were created _ it was a conditions that were created for him that killed him and those _ created for him that killed him and those conditions where the responsibility of president vladimir putin _ responsibility of president vladimir putin in_ responsibility of president vladimir putin. , ., , responsibility of president vladimir putin. , , _ responsibility of president vladimir putin. __ ,. responsibility of president vladimir putin. , , _ ,. ., putin. in your very busy schedule of poland's foreign _ putin. in your very busy schedule of poland's foreign minister, - putin. in your very busy schedule of poland's foreign minister, you - putin. in your very busy schedule of| poland's foreign minister, you were to meet the wife of alexei navalny. i was important for you to have that on your agenda, now she is a widow? we in poland were once dissidents under— we in poland were once dissidents under an— we in poland were once dissidents under an autocracy and we needed the solidarity— under an autocracy and we needed the solidarity of _ under an autocracy and we needed the solidarity of our friends in the free _ solidarity of our friends in the free world and we therefore feel solidarity — free world and we therefore feel solidarity for those who are battling _ solidarity for those who are battling for freedom and democracy in countries that are less fortunate

than ours— in countries that are less fortunate than ours now is. and it is particularly difficult to be a democrat in putin's russia. there are now— democrat in putin's russia. there are now more political prisoners in russia _ are now more political prisoners in russia such — are now more political prisoners in russia such as —— and around 3000 others, _ russia such as —— and around 3000 others, more — russia such as —— and around 3000 others, more than in the soviet union — others, more than in the soviet union. russia is now a really harsh dictatorship— union. russia is now a really harsh dictatorship that is prosecuting a genocidal war in ukraine. this was create new— genocidal war in ukraine. this was create new concern. _ genocidal war in ukraine. this was create new concern. navalny - genocidal war in ukraine. this was create new concern. navalny went| create new concern. navalny went back to russia knowing he would face her fate as difficult access but hoping they wouldn't have to pay the ultimate sacrifice. but hoping they wouldn't have to pay the ultimate sacrifice.— ultimate sacrifice. but he will one da in ultimate sacrifice. but he will one day in russian — ultimate sacrifice. but he will one day in russian textbooks - ultimate sacrifice. but he will one day in russian textbooks as - ultimate sacrifice. but he will one day in russian textbooks as a - ultimate sacrifice. but he will one i day in russian textbooks as a martyr democracy — day in russian textbooks as a martyr democra . ., ., , ., ~' democracy. how do you think it will affect the discussions _ democracy. how do you think it will affect the discussions here - democracy. how do you think it will affect the discussions here already, the support for ukraine, the worry about the military situation there was dominating the agenda? to

steepen any concern on the front? haste steepen any concern on the front? we were here two years ago when we werent— were here two years ago when we weren't sure if president lenski would _ weren't sure if president lenski would attend because the invasion was imminent and the airspace over ukraine— was imminent and the airspace over ukraine might have been closed. the mood _ ukraine might have been closed. the mood is— ukraine might have been closed. the mood is also— ukraine might have been closed. the mood is also sombre because we are at a tipping _ mood is also sombre because we are at a tipping point, both in ukraine where _ at a tipping point, both in ukraine where the — at a tipping point, both in ukraine where the brave ukrainian armies outgunned eight to one, and in washington by the fate of the assistance package for ukraine is in the balance. itherefore assistance package for ukraine is in the balance. i therefore appeal to us congressmen, particularly to speaker— us congressmen, particularly to speaker mike johnson, to that this bill go _ speaker mike johnson, to that this bill go to— speaker mike johnson, to that this bill go to the vote, let us help the who are _ bill go to the vote, let us help the who are resisting vladimir putin who hasiust_ who are resisting vladimir putin who hasjust killed navalny. we who are resisting vladimir putin who hasjust killed navalny.— has 'ust killed navalny. we heard in the hasjust killed navalny. we heard in the interview— hasjust killed navalny. we heard in the interview with _ hasjust killed navalny. we heard in the interview with tucker _ hasjust killed navalny. we heard in the interview with tucker carlson, l the interview with tucker carlson, the interview with tucker carlson, the american journalist,

the interview with tucker carlson, the americanjournalist, president the american journalist, president putin the americanjournalist, president putin said he wanted to have dialogue with the west. the munich security conference say they didn't invite the russians this time because they don't believe the russians are interested in dialogue. what is your response?— what is your response? president putin said it _ what is your response? president putin said it wasn't _ what is your response? president putin said it wasn't my _ what is your response? president putin said it wasn't my men - what is your response? president putin said it wasn't my men in - putin said it wasn't my men in crimea — putin said it wasn't my men in crimea he _ putin said it wasn't my men in crimea. he said that he has no intention— crimea. he said that he has no intention of invading ukraine. he is now saying — intention of invading ukraine. he is now saying that he has no in intention— now saying that he has no in intention of invading latvia or poland — intention of invading latvia or poland so— intention of invading latvia or poland so therefore we should be quite _ poland so therefore we should be quite worried.— poland so therefore we should be quite worried. when you stood next to dou: quite worried. when you stood next to doug cameron — quite worried. when you stood next to doug cameron yesterday, - quite worried. when you stood next to doug cameron yesterday, you i to doug cameron yesterday, you talked about russian imperialism and you talked about the values. in a moment like now where there is so much morning for alexei navalny, how would you reflect on that now? i am afraid alexei — would you reflect on that now? i am afraid alexei navalny _ would you reflect on that now? i am afraid alexei navalny underscores the point — afraid alexei navalny underscores the point that vladimir putin is a man— the point that vladimir putin is a man we — the point that vladimir putin is a man we have to stop. this must...

you arrived — man we have to stop. this must... you arrived here _ man we have to stop. this must... you arrived here worried _ man we have to stop. this must... you arrived here worried about - man we have to stop. this must... you arrived here worried about the cause of this war and now navalny plasma death has added to this worry. you described the mood is sombre. i5 worry. you described the mood is sombre. , , ., sombre. is becoming ever more so? in our art of sombre. is becoming ever more so? in our part of the — sombre. is becoming ever more so? in our part of the we _ sombre. is becoming ever more so? in our part of the we have _ sombre. is becoming ever more so? in our part of the we have a _ sombre. is becoming ever more so? in our part of the we have a sense - sombre. is becoming ever more so? in our part of the we have a sense of- our part of the we have a sense of foreboding — our part of the we have a sense of foreboding and a sense that is a generation of politicians we can't fail and _ generation of politicians we can't fail and we have to pass the test that our— fail and we have to pass the test that our forefathers passed. and yet the cloud over _ that our forefathers passed. and yet the cloud over this _ that our forefathers passed. and yet the cloud over this conference, - that our forefathers passed. and yet the cloud over this conference, is i the cloud over this conference, is it possible to have a second presidency for donald trump, who trust president putin more than its own intelligence services? we trust president putin more than its own intelligence services?- own intelligence services? we are in munich. appeasement, _ own intelligence services? we are in munich. appeasement, you - own intelligence services? we are in munich. appeasement, you mean. l own intelligence services? we are in i munich. appeasement, you mean. the foreian munich. appeasement, you mean. the foreign minister— munich. appeasement, you mean. the foreign minister for— munich. appeasement, you mean. the foreign minister for polling, _ munich. appeasement, you mean. the foreign minister for polling, thank i foreign ministerfor polling, thank you forjoining us at this time, time of history, history that wasn't expected as this munich security conference got under way today. the

death of navalny is certain to be under the dark cloud hanging over proceedings. we will continue to watch all of the latest of elements and comments from here, but back to you in london. and comments from here, but back to you in london-— you in london. thank you. in munich, our chief international _ our chief international correspondent. we are getting more reaction coming in to us about the death of a prominent kremlin critic alexei navalny. this isjust coming to us from the british prime minister rishi sunak. on x, formerly known as twitter, he said, this is terrible news. as the thesis advocate for russian democracy, alexei navalny demonstrated incredible courage throughout his life. . my thoughts are with his wife and the people of russia, this is a huge tragedy. that reaction coming in from britain's rishi sunak. also germany's olaf scholz said, mr navalny paid for his courage with his life. i am still

joined by bbc. we heard more from russia two foreign ministry. yes. russia two foreign ministry. yes, the spokeswoman _ russia two foreign ministry. yes, the spokeswoman for _ russia two foreign ministry. yes, the spokeswoman for the - russia two foreign ministry. 1a: the spokeswoman for the foreign ministry in moscow has suggested that nato is somehow or may somehow be involved in alexei navalny's death. she wrote of the immediate reaction from nato countries is self exposing, that is a quote, self exposing. there has been... the west has already drawn its conclusions. that is a statement. i am looking at a video of alexei navalny's appearance via a video link yesterday. he attended a court hearing yesterday and he appeared to

be his usual self, smiling, joking with thejudge. thejudge be his usual self, smiling, joking with the judge. the judge smiled back. so looking at how he talked and moved and behaved yesterday, there was absolutely nothing to suggest that there was anything wrong with his health and that video clip being widely shared on social media at the moment. for clip being widely shared on social media at the moment. for people 'ust t in: to media at the moment. for people 'ust trying to digest — media at the moment. for people 'ust trying to digest this i media at the moment. for people 'ust trying to digest this news i media at the moment. for people 'ust trying to digest this news but i media at the moment. for people just trying to digest this news but don't i trying to digest this news but don't know much about mr navalny except he was a very vocal critic of the kremlin, as we have been saying, i thought in that it may putin's side, what sort of thing did he criticise the russian government for or about? why did it get under the skin of mr putin? he why did it get under the skin of mr putin? , ., ., ' why did it get under the skin of mr putin? , ., .,' ., , ., putin? he started off as an anti-corruption _ putin? he started off as an l anti-corruption campaigner. putin? he started off as an i anti-corruption campaigner. he anti—corruption campaigner. he looked into corruption by keyed russian officials, including of

vladimir putin. alexei navalny and his team produced a very popular video alleging that president putin had secretly built a palace for himself, he alleged that other key officials were also involved in corruption and we have to understand that in modern day russia you do not discuss vladimir putin's private life. so that is one of the things that must have got under vladimir putin's skin. also, given how effective alexei navalny boards are doing all that, he had a knack of talking in a very informal language that young people liked. he was very good at energising the opposition against vladimir putin. he led numerous rallies and after those he was arrested on numerous occasions, attacked with a green dye that

almost left him blind in one eye. so he was the target of much pressure even before he was jailed in 2021 and from corruption, he expanded into wider issues more recently he criticised russia two war against ukraine, but being injailthey criticised russia two war against ukraine, but being injail they are both very little he could do to galvanise public position in russia against the war from jail. fiend galvanise public position in russia against the war from jail.- against the war from “ail. and the government h against the war from “ail. and the government tried i against the war from “ail. and the government tried to i against the war from jail. and the government tried to shut - against the war from jail. and the government tried to shut down i against the war from jail. and the l government tried to shut down the anti—corruption movement that he led, tried to shut down the campaign offices and basically quell it. where is it at the moment? it has been shut down _ where is it at the moment? it has been shut down as _ where is it at the moment? it has been shut down as an _ where is it at the moment? it has been shut down as an extremist i been shut down as an extremist organisation. any involvement with it is likely to be branded an extremist, most of the key associates of alexei navalny are in

exile outside of russia. which means vladimir putin is presiding over a very barren political landscape where there are different parties and figures but none of them are allowed to pose a serious and realistic challenge against vladimir putin's rule. find realistic challenge against vladimir putin's rule-— putin's rule. and we talked about this with luke _ putin's rule. and we talked about this with luke harding, _ putin's rule. and we talked about this with luke harding, but- putin's rule. and we talked about this with luke harding, but was l putin's rule. and we talked about. this with luke harding, but was mr navalny plasma death in present inevitable given that he had been so outspoken —— marc navalny's death. the authority as think he fell sick in prison. was his death inevitable? well, not exactly inevitable because there was always hope that alexei navalny would be allowed to live in jail in russia, even though russian jails are obviously harsh. but there

was no reason to think he would definitely die there, even though he received a nine—year sentence, then a 19 year sentence in jail. received a nine—year sentence, then a 19 year sentence injail. but in reality we are in a way in uncharted territory in modern day russian history after the collapse of the soviet union, where key political figures are dying, being forced into exile, being jailed and russia has attacked its neighbour, ukraine. so this marks a new low for russia and russia two fledgling democracy as we knew it shortly before vladimir putin came to power.— knew it shortly before vladimir putin came to power. where does this leave the anti-corruption _ putin came to power. where does this

leave the anti-corruption movement l leave the anti—corruption movement and the ability for anyone to criticise anything that mr putin is doing? is that the deathknell for that? fin doing? is that the deathknell for that? ., ., , , that? on the one hand, this is absolutely _ that? on the one hand, this is absolutely terrifyingly - that? on the one hand, this is| absolutely terrifyingly shocking news to everyone who gave mr navalny, to anyone who worked with him, but on the other hand, it was all but impossible to campaign against that may putin's role in russia from within russia even before alexei navalny two death. in practical terms it was pretty much impossible then and it is still impossible then and it is still impossible now. to add to all that is that shock of a key leader, father, a family man dying injail. thank you very much. we will be back

with you throughout the afternoon as we get reaction to this developing story. let's speak to the washington post russia and ukraine editor. thank you forjoining us here. let me ask you about what your reaction is to these developments. oi me ask you about what your reaction is to these developments.— is to these developments. of course this is a moment _ is to these developments. of course this is a moment that _ is to these developments. of course this is a moment that navalny's i this is a moment that navalny's family— this is a moment that navalny's family and supporters have been trading _ family and supporters have been trading for a long time. it is hard to say— trading for a long time. it is hard to say that — trading for a long time. it is hard to say that anyone would believe they are — to say that anyone would believe they are surprised, given the assassination attempt in 2020 and we know at— assassination attempt in 2020 and we know at other points. but really the drama _ know at other points. but really the drama of— know at other points. but really the drama of this finally happening when vladimir— drama of this finally happening when vladimir putin is a paltry election, an election — vladimir putin is a paltry election, an election campaign, there is about next month—

an election campaign, there is about next month that navalny if he had been _ next month that navalny if he had been allowed to participate in a free democratic russia as he had lon- free democratic russia as he had long dream, even before he was an anti—corruption crusader, he was interested — anti—corruption crusader, he was interested in politics, he wanted to be a politician, he hopes to be president— be a politician, he hopes to be president of russia. he would have been _ president of russia. he would have been campaigning in this had he not been campaigning in this had he not been child _ been campaigning in this had he not been child on trumped up charges and held in— been child on trumped up charges and held in a _ been child on trumped up charges and held in a brutal prison colony where apparently— held in a brutal prison colony where apparently he has died today but really _ apparently he has died today but really quite stark to hear this news about _ really quite stark to hear this news about navalny at a time when there is the _ about navalny at a time when there is the presidential race under way by the _ is the presidential race under way by the outcome is obviously clearly preordained. by the outcome is obviously clearly preordained— by the outcome is obviously clearly treordained. . ., ., .,~ ., preordained. what do you make about the international _ preordained. what do you make about the international reaction. _ preordained. what do you make about the international reaction. we - preordained. what do you make about the international reaction. we have i the international reaction. we have just heard from the eu chief calling russia solely responsible for mr navalny's death. nato'sjens stoltenberg saint russia has serious questions to answer. rishi sunak describing this is terrible news.

and how does this change the already difficult relationship between the west and the kremlin? hard difficult relationship between the west and the kremlin?— west and the kremlin? hard to believe that _ west and the kremlin? hard to believe that relations - west and the kremlin? hard to believe that relations with i west and the kremlin? hard to l believe that relations with russia could _ believe that relations with russia could get — believe that relations with russia could get worse, given their brutal war in— could get worse, given their brutal war in ukraine. and a book i have written _ war in ukraine. and a book i have written about navalny called the dissident talks about why it is so personable fort valley. he is half ukrainian, — personable fort valley. he is half ukrainian, half russian, his father is ukrainian, — ukrainian, half russian, his father is ukrainian, he spent summers in ukraine— is ukrainian, he spent summers in ukraine with — is ukrainian, he spent summers in ukraine with his grandparents. when he was _ ukraine with his grandparents. when he was poisoned and recovering from this attack— he was poisoned and recovering from this attack with a band chemical weapon— this attack with a band chemical weapon in— this attack with a band chemical weapon in berlin, angela merkel visited _ weapon in berlin, angela merkel visited him in his hospital room. he is a character— visited him in his hospital room. he is a character whose career has been followed _ is a character whose career has been followed by— is a character whose career has been followed by world leaders everywhere and they— followed by world leaders everywhere and they are speaking out now, clearly — and they are speaking out now, clearly saying putin and the kremlin are responsible for this, that navalny— are responsible for this, that navalny would not have been in

prison _ navalny would not have been in prison if— navalny would not have been in prison if not for the political repression that they brought against him all— repression that they brought against him all these years, a series of trumped — him all these years, a series of trumped up prosecutions, political cases— trumped up prosecutions, political cases that — trumped up prosecutions, political cases that would have had him in 'ail cases that would have had him in jail well— cases that would have had him in jail well until his 705. but again, this is— jail well until his 705. but again, this is absolutely the worst fears, you have — this is absolutely the worst fears, you have to think for his wife and two children, ju5t you have to think for his wife and two children, just an awful moment. have _ two children, just an awful moment. have you _ two children, just an awful moment. have you ever met him yourself? well, as a correspondent based in russia _ well, as a correspondent based in russia for— well, as a correspondent based in russia for the new york times, ye5 well, as a correspondent based in russia for the new york times, yes i covered _ russia for the new york times, yes i covered navalny from 2011 through 2015 _ covered navalny from 2011 through 2015 his _ covered navalny from 2011 through 2015. his 5tar covered navalny from 2011 through 2015. his star was on the right at that point — 2015. his star was on the right at that point. he was making a crossover— that point. he was making a crossover from a blogger and anti—corruption crusader into a genuine — anti—corruption crusader into a genuine political opposition leader, the visit _ genuine political opposition leader, the visit greek political opposition the vi5it greek political opposition leader— the vi5it greek political opposition leader in— the visit greek political opposition leader in russia. he started out from _ leader in russia. he started out from some _ leader in russia. he started out from some of your other guest crusading _ from some of your other guest crusading again5t corruption in russia — crusading again5t corruption in russia. there is no shortage of

ru55ia. there is no shortage of that _ ru55ia. there is no shortage of that. companies embezzling money, shareholder activism, that. companies embezzling money, shareholderactivism, reading proxy shareholder activism, reading proxy documents — shareholderactivism, reading proxy documents very carefully, going to shareholder meetings, drawing attention to this theft. and then there _ attention to this theft. and then there was— attention to this theft. and then there was a point where he was in a radio— there was a point where he was in a radio show— there was a point where he was in a radio show where almost inadvertently he was asked about a united _ inadvertently he was asked about a united russia, the political party vladimir— united russia, the political party vladimir putin, and he labelled that the party— vladimir putin, and he labelled that the party of crooks and thieves and became _ the party of crooks and thieves and became a _ the party of crooks and thieves and became a meme before we even you means— became a meme before we even you means as _ became a meme before we even you means as means. it took off from one end of— means as means. it took off from one end of russia — means as means. it took off from one end of russia to the other, this sense _ end of russia to the other, this sense of— end of russia to the other, this sense of people being fed up with official— sense of people being fed up with official corruption in russia and from _ official corruption in russia and from that— official corruption in russia and from that point on his career was on the rise. _ from that point on his career was on the rise, leading protests at the end of— the rise, leading protests at the end of 2011 into 2012 after fraudulent parliamentary elections in russian — fraudulent parliamentary elections in russia, that white ribbon protest _ in russia, that white ribbon protest. navalny was a worldly guide — protest. navalny was a worldly guide. are you still love to travel. when _ guide. are you still love to travel. when he — guide. are you still love to travel. when he was arrested that december after leading some protest, he came out of— after leading some protest, he came out ofiail_ after leading some protest, he came out ofjail and went straight onto in mexico —

out ofjail and went straight onto in mexico and fielding calls from reportersn — in mexico and fielding calls from reporters, doing interviews for mexico — reporters, doing interviews for mexico i— reporters, doing interviews for mexico. i covered him when he was facing _ mexico. i covered him when he was facing one — mexico. i covered him when he was facing one of its first prosecutions north-east — facing one of its first prosecutions north—east of moscow where he briefly— north—east of moscow where he briefly served as an adviser to the governor, — briefly served as an adviser to the governor, not even at a formal official, — governor, not even at a formal official, in— governor, not even at a formal official, in the case had been brought— official, in the case had been brought against him accusing him of embezzlement. very convoluted case, really _ embezzlement. very convoluted case, really very— embezzlement. very convoluted case, really very evident that in fact these — really very evident that in fact these charges were trumped up. he was convicted, sentenced to five years _ was convicted, sentenced to five years and — was convicted, sentenced to five years and then in what clearly was a political _ years and then in what clearly was a political trip, that sentence was put on — political trip, that sentence was put on appeal. there were giant protests — put on appeal. there were giant protests in moscow shortly after and he was _ protests in moscow shortly after and he was allowed to be free but he campaign — he was allowed to be free but he campaign for mayor in the mayoral election— campaign for mayor in the mayoral election that here in moscow but absolutely within an unfair landscape where he did not have any access _ landscape where he did not have any access to _ landscape where he did not have any access to television, media, an unfair— access to television, media, an unfair fight _ access to television, media, an unfairfight and access to television, media, an unfair fight and still scored 35, over— unfair fight and still scored 35,

over 30% _ unfair fight and still scored 35, over 30% in the polls there, quite a