Jake Sullivan Claims Navalny's Death is a Sign of Vladimir Putin's Weakness: 'Not a Sign of Strength'

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan claims that Alexei Navalny's death is a sign of Russian President Vladimir Putin's weakness.

Although Vladimir Putin didn't admit to killing Alexei Navalny, many speculated that the Russian ruler was the one who killed him since he was considered his most formidable opponent.

Because of this, numerous critics said that the death of Navalny just shows how powerful Vladimir Putin really is. But, this isn't what Jake Sullivan thinks.

Jake Sullivan Says Navalny's Death Shows Vladimir Putin Has Weakness

(Photo : Win McNamee/Getty Images)
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House on April 24, 2023 in Washington, DC. Sullivan and White House Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answered a range of questions during the briefing.

According to Politico's latest report, Jake Sullivan shared his remarks regarding Navalny's death and Putin's weakness on Sunday, Feb. 25, during CNN's State of the Union interview.

"What I've been struck by is the commentary in the United States that the death of Alexei Navalny is some great show of strength by Vladimir Putin," said the White House official.

However, Sullivan explained that what people didn't know was the fact that Alexei Navalny's death was a strong sign of Putin's weakness. He said that locking up the critic, as well as trying to muzzle and silence him, is "a sign of weakness, not a sign of strength."

He added that this also goes to other people that Vladimir Putin is trying to silence and suppress. Russia made huge headlines recently after the death of Navalny was confirmed.

U.S. President Joe Biden said that there's no doubt that Vladimir Putin is responsible for Navalny's death in prison.

"Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny's death. What has happened to Navalny is more proof of Putin's brutality," said that American leader.

Alexei Navalny's Body Handed Over To His Family

(Photo : MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
In this pool photograph distributed by Sputnik agency, Russia's President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting with members of the Alyosha T-80 tank crew in Moscow, on August 24, 2023.

BBC News reported that Alexei Navalny's body was returned to his family, specifically his mother Lyudmila Navalnaya. This was confirmed by his spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh, who thanked those who demanded that officials hand over his corpse.

Navalny's mother was asked to sign a death certificate, which states that Vladimir's critic died of natural causes. After that, she was given three hours to agree to a "secret" funeral.

However, Kira said that Lyudmila didn't agree with the negotiation with authorities.
"We don't know whether the authorities will interfere with it being carried out in the way the family wants and as Alexei deserves," explained the spokeswoman.

Jake Sullivan also said that it is not up to the Russian government if Navalny's funeral should be held in private or in public. The White House official stated that this should be decided upon by the victim's mother.