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On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested that the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was ordered by “senior Russian officials,” in a statement increasing international pressure on Moscow on this issue.
“I think people all over the world see this kind of activity for what it is,” Pompeo said in a radio interview. And when they see an attempt to poison a dissident, realizing that there is a high probability that this was actually done on the orders of senior Russian officials, I think it is not. Good for the Russian people. “
And on Tuesday, Germany’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Michael Roth, announced that his country would keep all options open regarding possible sanctions against Russia, accused of poisoning Navalny.
“We have made it clear that we will see the whole toolkit,” Roth said, in response to a question about what action Germany could take against Russia on this issue.
Last week, Germany revealed that there is “conclusive evidence” that the 44-year-old Russian anti-corruption opponent, Navalny, was poisoned with Novichok, a substance that dates back to the Soviet era.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said “only Russia can and should answer” questions related to the case.
Moscow vehemently denied its involvement in the Navalny poisoning, and the Kremlin condemned the “vain” attempts to hold Russia responsible for this operation.
On Monday, Merkel’s spokeswoman stressed that she would not rule out measures that could have consequences for the billion-euro “Nord Stream 2” gas pipeline project, should Moscow not carry out a full investigation of the case.
While noting that the pipeline is not just a German project, Roth emphasized that “we are open to all sanction options.”
The minister, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said in an interview with AFP that any response must be “the result of close talks and European coordination.”
He noted that the issue is not a dispute between two parties, but rather a “conflict between Russia and constitutional democratic states, not only in Europe but in all parts of the world.”
“The Navalny poisoning is a serious violation of the Chemical Weapons Agreement and is international in nature, not just bilateral.”
He stressed that a “clear signal” was necessary.
“We cannot tolerate an attempt to kill someone who has criticized the Russian regime, government and president,” he added.
