Biden meets Navalny's widow, sets sanctions
The president expressed his condolences to the family of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny


What happened?
President Joe Biden met with Yulia and Daria Navalnaya, the widow and daughter of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, in San Francisco to "express his heartfelt condolences" for Navalny's death in a Russian prison and to preview Friday's retaliatory "major new sanctions against Russia," the White House said. In Russia, Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, said she was "secretly" shown her son's body, told his death was from "natural causes," and warned she could only bury him if she agreed to a "secret funeral."
Who said what?
"By law, they're supposed to give me Alexei's body immediately," but "instead, they are blackmailing me," Lyudmila Navalnaya said. Russian President Vladimir Putin "is responsible for his death," Biden said. "We are not letting up."
The commentary
Biden's visit with Navalny's widow and the Kremlin's wrangling over his remains underscore "how pivotal a figure he is in Russian politics and around the world," and how nervous he makes the Kremlin — "even in death," The New York Times said. "It is hard to surprise us," said Navalny aide Ivan Zhdanov. But it's still shocking "a mother would be blackmailed with a rotting body in order to bring it to Moscow and bury it in secret."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
The new sanctions on 500 targets aim to further "damage and isolate Russia's economy" after its Ukraine invasion and Navalny's death, the Times said. But so far Russia has "largely weathered the restrictions," thanks largely to record oil purchases by China, India and Brazil.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
October 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released
The Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
Remaking the military: Pete Hegseth’s war on diversity and ‘fat generals’
Talking Point The US Secretary of War addressed military members on ‘warrior ethos’
-
Israel, Hamas agree to first step of Trump peace plan
Speed Read Israel’s military pulls back in Gaza amid prisoner exchange
-
Israel intercepts 2nd Gaza aid flotilla in a week
Speed Read The Israeli military intercepted a flotilla of nine boats with 145 activists aboard along with medical and food aid
-
Japan poised to get first woman prime minister
Speed Read The ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi
-
Israel and Hamas meet on hostages, Trump’s plan
Speed Read Hamas accepted the general terms of Trump’s 20-point plan, including the release of all remaining hostages
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sites
Speed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza