Two years ago, Vladimir Putin started an unprovoked full-scale military aggression against Ukraine, resulting in deaths and destruction unseen since World War II. The war against Ukraine coincided with a growing and severe crackdown on political dissent and freedom of speech within Russia.
Recently, the world has been rocked by the death of Alexei Navalny, the principal political adversary of Putin. Before his incarceration, where he was tortured and murdered, Navalny survived a state-sponsored poisoning by chemical warfare. Despite that harrowing experience, he defiantly chose to return to Russia, exhibiting a true act of patriotism.
The war in Ukraine and the murder of Alexei Navalny concern not only Russia and Ukraine. Putin’s regime has shown that it poses a clear and imminent threat to humanity.
The entire statement can be read here.