Only ‘Language of Power,’ Sanctions Can Free Navalny, Ally Says

In this still image taken from video, Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who is accused of slandering a Russian World War II veteran, stands inside a defendant dock during a court hearing in Moscow on Feb. 20, 2021. Press Service of Babushkinsky District Court of Moscow/Handout via Reuters

VILNIUS, Lithuania—Russia would only consider releasing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny if its leadership was hit with painful personal sanctions, a close ally said ahead of a meeting with European policymakers in Brussels on Feb. 21.

European foreign ministers were expected to agree on Feb. 22 to impose sanctions on allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to the jailing of Navalny.