Wall Street Journal: US Intelligence Agencies Believe Putin Likely Did Not Order Navalny's Assassination

On Saturday, April 27, the Wall Street Journal reported that US intelligence agencies concluded that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, "likely" did not order the assassination of Alexei Navalny, the opposition politician from Moscow. Alexei Navalny, one of Putin's most prominent opponents, died in a prison in northern Russia last February at the age of 47. Navalny's allies, whom Russian officials label as extremists, believe he was killed on Putin's orders. They claim they will provide evidence to support this claim. The Kremlin has denied any involvement by Vladimir Putin in Navalny's death. Putin described Navalny's passing as "tragic" and stated he was prepared to hand over the imprisoned politician to the West in a prisoner exchange, provided that Navalny would never return to Russia. Navalny's allies confirm that such negotiations were underway. According to Reuters, the Wall Street Journal cited sources who wished to remain anonymous, stating that US intelligence agencies concluded that Putin likely had no role in Navalny's assassination. The report emphasizes that Washington has not absolved the Russian leader of overall responsibility for Navalny's death, as this opposition politician had been targeted multiple times by Russian officials due to his history. Navalny was sentenced to prison on charges that the West claims were politically motivated, and he had previously been poisoned with a nerve agent. The Kremlin denied government involvement in Navalny's poisoning. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, commented on parts of the Wall Street Journal report, calling it "baseless speculation." Reuters cannot independently verify the Wall Street Journal's report. The Wall Street Journal stated that this report has been "widely accepted in the intelligence community and shared by several US agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the State Department's intelligence unit." The publication noted that the US assessment was based on a wide range of information, including some classified data, and an analysis of public facts, including the timing of Navalny's death and how it could impact Putin's reelection in the following April. Alexei Navalny's memoir titled "Patriot" will be published. The widow of Alexei Navalny participated in a protest rally "Noon Against Putin." Navalny's funeral was held, where citizens chanted against "Putin the murderer." An ally of Alexei Navalny claimed that he was supposed to be exchanged and released before his suspicious death. The White House reacted to Navalny's death by stating that "major sanctions" await Russia. Joe Biden announced a review of new sanctions against Russia due to the suspicious death of Alexei Navalny.