At the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2026, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called for urgent action against Russia following new evidence confirming that Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, died from poisoning with an obscure toxin found in Ecuadorian dart frogs. This official confirmation reinforces claims that only the Russian state had the resources to carry out such an act.
Cooper stated, "The proof of this toxin shows a clear breach of international chemical weapons regulations. We do want to see action taken, which may include ongoing coordinated sanctions against Russia." She indicated that the UK and its allies are actively pursuing a robust response to this case.
Two years ago, Navalny died in a Siberian prison under suspicious circumstances while serving a lengthy sentence on politically motivated charges. The announcement of his poisoning comes after extensive testing by European laboratories, which discovered Epibatidine, a lethal substance not typically found in Russia.
In addressing potential consequences for Russia, Cooper commented, "We have been pursuing the truth since Alexei died in prison. Our responsibility is to continue his work to expose the truth about the Russian regime under Putin."
Despite the Kremlin's dismissal of the Western findings—characterizing them as "necro-propaganda" and "feeble-mindedness"—the British Foreign Office reiterated that the use of such toxins reflects ongoing aggression from Russia and highlighted the need for Europe to remain vigilant against future threats.
The UK government is currently considering further sanctions aimed at holding individuals accountable and constraining the financial networks that underpin Russian state activities. Cooper emphasized the necessity for a united front among European allies in confronting these challenges.
The findings from this investigation have provoked renewed discussions among European nations regarding their strategies against Russian aggression, aligning with increased calls for accountability and justice for political dissidents like Navalny.