Yulia Navalnaya, wife of deceased Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, addressed the European Parliament on Wednesday and told its Members that in order to defeat President Vladimir Putin it must be innovative and “stop being boring.”
Alexei Navalny died February 16 in a Russian prison of “natural causes”, according to his death certificate, But reports at Reuters say he was “killed” because he was close to being freed in a prisoner swap, which concerned President Vladimir Putin ahead of Russian elections scheduled for March.
Navalnaya was introduced by the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, who in her introductory remarks called for an international and independent investigation into the death of Alexei Navalny.
Navalnaya has promised to continue the fight of her dead husband for a “free Russia” and informed the audience that if they want to help her and, “if you really want to defeat Putin, you have to become an innovator. And you have to stop being boring.”
She was critical of the constant resolutions and sanctions against Russia and explained that they do not have an impact because, “you can’t defeat him by thinking he’s a man of principle who has morals and rules.”
She elaborated that, “you aren’t dealing with a politician but with a bloody mobster. Putin is the leader of an organized criminal gang. This includes poisoners and assassins, but they’re all just puppets. The most important thing is the people close to Putin, his friends, associates, and keepers of the mafia’s money.”
“You, and all of us, must fight this criminal gang. And the political innovation here is to apply the methods of fighting organized crime, not political competition. Not diplomatic notes, but investigations into the financial machinations. Not statements of concern, but a search for mafia associates in your countries, for the discreet lawyers and financiers who are helping Putin and his friends to hide money.”
She concluded by saying, “Putin must answer for what he has done to my country. Putin must answer for what he has done to a neighboring, peaceful country. And Putin must answer for everything he has done to Alexei.”
The address comes on the heels of the European Parliament approving yesterday the €50 billion Ukraine Facility designed to support Ukraine through grants, loans and guarantees. The facility was made possible through a revision of the EU’s long-term budget, and the decision was met with applause by groups of Ukrainian visitors and observers. The facility was passed with 536 votes in favor, 40 against and 39 abstentions.
