Today marks one year since the death of Russian opposition leader politician Alexei Navalny, for which President Putin and the Russian authorities bear ultimate responsibility. 

As Russia intensifies its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, it also continues its internal repression, targeting those who stand for democracy. Alexei Navalny gave his life for a free and democratic Russia. Today, his lawyers remain unjustly imprisoned, together with hundreds of political prisoners. Russia must immediately and unconditionally release Alexei Navalny’s lawyers and all political prisoners. 

Since 2020, the EU has sanctioned those responsible for Alexei Navalny's poisoning, arbitrary arrest, prosecution and politically motivated sentencing. In 2024, the EU adopted a Russia-specific human rights-focused sanctions regime targeting those who commit human rights violations and repression.

The EU calls on Russia to end its brutal repression of civil society, media, and opposition members, and to comply with international law.