February 16, 2024

Duckworth Reacts to Death of Alexei Navalny

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees—issued the following statement after learning that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died while imprisoned by Vladimir Putin:

“Alexei Navalny stood for freedom, democracy and human dignity in the face of Vladimir Putin’s tyranny, corruption and cruelty—and he was poisoned, imprisoned and killed because of it. While his death is a tremendous loss for his loved ones, the people of Russia and the entire free world, it is also a reminder of the extreme lengths Putin will go to maintain and expand his power.

“As we mourn this loss, Putin is continuing to prove his relentless brutality each day he wages his unjustified and unprovoked war of choice against the brave Ukrainians who are fighting for their lives, freedom and sovereignty. It is as important as ever for the free world to remain united in the face of Russia’s continued aggression, and the United States must lead the way in the fight against authoritarianism and in support of democracy. With Donald Trump threatening our NATO allies and bending to Putin’s whims, Congress must do everything we can to support our partners and allies and stop Putin from marching further West.

“For the sake of global security, House Republicans must take up and help pass the Senate’s bipartisan bill to deliver aid to Ukraine immediately—which would not only help Ukraine defeat Putin’s regime and win this war, but also protect our own national security and the security of all NATO allies.”

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