Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has been recognized in Time magazine's prestigious list of the world's 100 most influential people.
In her first interview since her husband's tragic passing in February, Navalnaya, 47, revealed her decision to step into the realm of politics, driven by a determination to carry on the fight against President Vladimir Putin and to offer hope to supporters of her husband.
Reflecting on her choice to enter the political arena, Navalnaya emphasized her resolve to defy any notion that Navalny's death would silence opposition voices. "We did not discuss this (me entering politics). I simply believed that allowing this to go unchallenged was unacceptable. If they believe they can silence Alexei and that will be the end of it, they are mistaken," Navalnaya stated, as reported by The Moscow Times.
Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of Putin, tragically passed away on February 16 after falling unconscious at an Arctic penal colony where he was serving a lengthy prison sentence. His death sparked widespread condemnation, with many opposition figures and critics alleging Putin's involvement.
Navalnaya did not mince words in her criticism of Western leaders, accusing them of insufficient action in sanctioning Putin's affluent inner circle. Describing Putin as a "gangster" rather than a political figure, Navalnaya emphasized the need for targeted sanctions that directly impact Putin's power and those close to him.
"The problem lies in the fact that the West views Putin as a politician. However, he has long transcended the realm of politics. He leads an organized criminal group. His inner circle consists of criminals who have committed war crimes, flouted laws, and embezzled vast sums from the Russian people, all while perpetuating poverty among them," Navalnaya asserted.
Last month, Navalnaya rallied thousands of Russians to polling stations and embassies on the final day of Russia's presidential election, urging them to demonstrate their resistance to Putin, who secured an unprecedented fifth term, as reported by The Moscow Times.
