Navalny’s top aide says that Ukraine shows Putin is more corrupt than previously thought
- The Guardian was told by Navalny’s top aide that Putin’s behavior in Ukraine is more bizarre than they thought.
- Leonid Vokov said that Putin does not care about sanctions or international reaction.
- Volkov warned Navalny his survival may depend on Putin’s view of him as a bargaining partner.
According to Alexey Navalny’s top aide in prison, the Kremlin critic is worried that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be crazier than previously believed.
Navalny’s team believed that Putin would not risk the death of the opposition leader while he was in prison. The world was watching and the Kremlin could be blamed. However, Leonid Volkov (Navalny’s top aide) told the Guardian that Putin has changed their opinion of the Russian leader.
Volkov stated that “our assessment of how crazy Putin really is was wrong”, pointing out that Putin “doesn’t care about sanctions or international reaction.”
Putin is now a pariah on the international stage, and Russia has been isolated both politically and economically by the conflict in Ukraine. The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine has been condemned by countries around the world, and Russia has been subject to unprecedented sanctions. Even though Russia’s war with Russia has not been a success, and Russia has sustained a number of horrific casualties, Putin has not given up on his goal of subjugating Ukraine.
Volkov hopes that Navalny will be used by Putin to help him negotiate an end to the war.
“Putin seems not to be very in touch with reality, but he does think about future possibilities. Navalny can be used as a bargaining chip under such circumstances. Volkov stated that this could be a significant advantage.
Navalny, who was a vocal critic and supporter of Putin in prison, stated last week that he was moved to solitary confinement to “shut me down.”
Navalny encouraged people to protest the war in Ukraine and Putin through tweets sent via intermediary. “at every opportunity.”
The health of the Russian opposition leader has been a constant concern throughout his time in prison. Volkov expressed concern for Navalny’s condition and his ability to communicate while he is in isolation.
Volkov stated that the current situation was, “I have to admit, very poor” because his communication with the outside is limited and his health is at risk. He also said that his physical condition could get worse. He said, “We must keep talking about Navalny.”
Putin’s most vocal critic, Navalny was poisoned in Siberia with a Soviet-era nerve drug in August 2020. This nearly ended the life of Navalny, and Putin is widely believed to be responsible. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has denied any involvement.
After several months of treatment in Germany following the poisoning Navalny returned home to Moscow in the early 2021. He was immediately arrested. Russian opposition leader Navalny was arrested on charges widely condemned as politically motivated. His sentence has been tacked on since then. The imprisonment of Navalny sparked mass protests in 2021. Volkov said to Insider last June that Putin was dumb to put Navalny behind bars because it made the anti-corruption activist a symbol that Russians could rally behind.