US ‘not disputing’ European report that Alexei Navalny was poisoned with rare toxin, Rubio says – Firstpost

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said Washington is “not disputing” a report by five European countries that jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was fatally poisoned with a rare frog toxin.

Calling the findings “very troubling,” Rubio said the US decision not to join the statement by United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden did not signal disagreement, describing it as a European-led initiative.

Speaking during a brief visit to Slovakia, he said Navalny’s death was “very serious” and that Washington had no reason to question the report.

Report cites rare toxin, names Russia as prime suspect

The joint findings said Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a highly toxic substance associated with an Ecuadoran dart frog, and identified Russia as the prime suspect. Experts noted the compound can also be produced synthetically rather than extracted directly from an amphibian.

Kremlin rejects claims; Europe points to poisoning

Navalny, a prominent critic of Vladimir Putin, died in a Siberian prison on February 16, 2024, while serving a 19-year sentence. Russia has said he died suddenly and dismissed the European report. The European countries said laboratory analyses detected epibatidine and that reported symptoms made poisoning a highly likely cause of death.

UK signals possible sanctions response

The UK Foreign Office said only the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy the toxin and held Moscow responsible. Yvette Cooper said Britain was considering tougher sanctions and that coordinated action remained under review.

Reactions from Navalny family and European leaders

Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalny, said the findings showed he had been murdered. Jean-Noel Barrot paid tribute to the Kremlin critic following the report’s release.