Russian President Putin's First Remark On Navalny's Death: 'It Happens... It's Life'

In his first comments regarding Alexei Navalny's death, the new Russian President Vladimir Putin, who secured re-election unopposed, revealed that an idea to release the opposition leader in a prisoner exchange had been supported by him, as conveyed by his colleagues just days before Navalny's demise.

Putin's First Remark On Navalny's Death - Here's what he said

Putin's response to NBC's question highlighted his agreement with the proposed exchange, stating, "Believe me or not, the person talking to me hardly finished their sentence when I said: 'I agree.' But unfortunately, the thing that happened." The remarks by the newly elected Russian President came after he declared victory in the elections.

Navalny's death in prison in February, reportedly due to ill health, was rejected by his allies. Additionally, it was stated by Navalny's allies last month that talks with Russian and Western officials regarding a prisoner swap were underway.

The politician's longtime associate Maria Pevchikh mentioned that the talks were in their final stages just days before the sudden and unexplained death of the Kremlin critic in an Arctic penal colony. However, it was also asserted by them that Navalny had been killed by Putin to thwart the prisoner exchange deal.

What condition did Putin set to release Navalny?

While the Russian president claims it that he had supported the release of his foe under a prisoner exchange deal, it was stated by Putin that such a swap could only occur if Navalny agreed to never return to Russia.

An offer to return to Russia to see her husband was reportedly refused by Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, who is in Berlin, as told by Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov to NBC.

Several individuals are currently in custody in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges, and Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, who was convicted of espionage and is serving a long prison sentence.