On February 15, 2026, at the Munich Security Conference, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the Kremlin's actions, asserting that the recent confirmation of Alexei Navalny's poisoning with a lethal toxin underscores Vladimir Putin’s readiness to employ nerve agents against his own people to secure his hold on power.
Navalny, a prominent critic of Putin, died in a Russian penal colony in February 2024 under suspicious circumstances. Recent investigations revealed that he was poisoned using epibatidine, a deadly neurotoxin derived from dart frogs, a substance not naturally found in Russia. This conclusion was jointly announced by the foreign ministries of the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, all of which indicated that Moscow had the means, motive, and opportunity to carry out the act.
Barrot emphasized the implications of such actions, stating, “Two years ago, Alexei Navalny died from poisoning caused by one of the deadliest nerve agents. We now know that Vladimir Putin is prepared to use chemical weapons against his own people to maintain his grip on power.” He expressed that this incident reflects a deeper fear within the Kremlin of political dissent and opposition.
The NATO and European allies have condemned the use of chemical weapons, categorizing this act as a serious violation of international law and calling for accountability. They intend to report Russia's alleged breaches to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
In response to the findings, UK’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the Kremlin, stating that by resorting to such methods, the Russian state exhibited its fear of political opposition. Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, expressed gratitude for the support from Europe in identifying the truth behind her husband’s tragic death, reinforcing the consensus that accountability is essential.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the implications of Navalny’s poisoning may spur further international actions against the Kremlin, emphasizing the urgency of addressing human rights abuses in Russia and securing justice for political dissidents.