Putin Accuses West of Using Navalny to ‘Contain’ Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday accused the West of using jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny to try to “contain” Russia.

“Our opponents or our potential opponents… have always relied on — and used — ambitious, power-hungry people,” Putin said in an interview with Russian media conducted on Wednesday but only broadcast on Sunday by public channel Rossiya 24.

Putin suggested that the wave of protests recently held across Russia in the wake of Navalny’s arrest and imprisonment had also been fed from abroad, against the backdrop of the widespread “exhaustion, frustration and dissatisfaction” arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

He said that Russia’s “numerous successes” on a military level, but also in its management of the Covid-19 crisis and the development of the Sputnik V vaccine, were “starting to irritate” Moscow’s opponents. 

“The stronger we become, the stronger this containment policy,” Putin said.

Navalny, a persistent thorn in Putin’s side, was arrested on his return from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning he claims was carried out by the Kremlin and the Russian security services, FSB.

The 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner was subsequently jailed for nearly three years, sparking nationwide protests that saw more than 10,000 people detained and led to allegations of police abuse. 

The merciless crackdown has been sharply criticised by Europe and the United States. 

And the EU is considering imposing sanctions on Russia, putting even more strain on the bloc’s already fractious relations with Moscow.

(c) The Moscow Times

13 comments

  1. “The stronger we become, the stronger this containment policy,” Putin said.”

    If the West really wanted to “contain” Muscovy, they would do it quite easily, despite the bribes flowing into the pockets of EU politicians. What does Putin mean by “contain”? Stay out of other countries uninvited, perhaps?

  2. “The stronger we become, the stronger this containment policy,”
    We’ve let the trash country out of the container. It is anything but strong. Unless you count odors.

    • It is difficult to aim at a small hole in the ground with the pants round their ankles after a bottle of vodka. Then add the water shortage. Explains the fog surrounding them. 😂

  3. The nazi rat is still peddling conspiracy theories and lies. Because it works. As all nazi dictators know. Does anyone know of a decent rodent control firm?

  4. Wow Vlad, you catch on quick!
    Maybe you are a genius after all?
    But then if that were true you would not have got into this mess in the first.
    Every move to “contain “Russia has been in reaction to your moves. So the simple way to foil the Wests findish plot is to do nothing.
    But that idea is way to simple for a genius like you.

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