Russian President Vladimir <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-doesnt-need-to-find-a-new-job-he-is-not-going-to-leave-the-scene-putin-350469">Putin</a> while addressing the year-end annual press conference said that opposition leader Navalny's poisoning investigation is "just the legalization of materials provided by US special services."

Watch:

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"Don't we know that they track location. Our special services understand and know it well. Our servicemen from FSB and other special agencies know it as well and use cell phones where they think it's not necessary to hide their location," the Russian President told media persons.

"If this is right, and I assure you that this is right, it means that this German hospital's patient relies on the support of US special services."

Navalny had fallen gravely ill during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow and had to be taken to hospital in Siberia where doctors treated him for possible poisoning. The Russian opposition leader was later shifted to a German hospital which concluded that Russians had used the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent to kill him.

"If this is right, (that Navalny is supported by US special services) then it's interesting and special services have to look after him. But it doesn't mean that it's necessary to poison him, who cares about him? If we wanted, we would have made it done. His wife asked me and I immediately ordered to let him go for treatment to Germany," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-will-get-vaccine-when-possible-wont-comment-on-covid-19-source-350447">Putin </a>said.

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov had earlier denied that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) had followed and poisoned Navalny.

The European Union(EU) had imposed entry bans and frozen the bank accounts of six Russians suspected of positing Navalny,44, including FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov.

Navalny had earlier urged the EU to put target economic sanctions on the oligarchs surrounding Putin. "The Russian state must be treated like a bunch of criminals who have temporarily seized power," Navalny said as he urged Europe to support the Russian people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin while addressing the year-end annual press conference said that opposition leader Navalny's poisoning investigation is "just the legalization of materials provided by US special services.

Russian President Vladimir Putin while addressing the year-end annual press conference said that opposition leader Navalny's poisoning investigation is "just the legalization of materials provided by US special services." Watch: "Don't we know that they track location. Our special services understand and know it well. Our servicemen from FSB and other special agencies know it as well and use cell phones where they think it's not necessary to hide their location," the Russian President told media persons. "If this is right, and I assure you that this is right, it means that this German hospital's patient relies on the support of US special services." Navalny had fallen gravely ill during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow and had to be taken to hospital in Siberia where doctors treated him for possible poisoning. The Russian opposition leader was later shifted to a German hospital which concluded that Russians had used the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent to kill him. "If this is right, (that Navalny is supported by US special services) then it's interesting and special services have to look after him. But it doesn't mean that it's necessary to poison him, who cares about him? If we wanted, we would have made it done. His wife asked me and I immediately ordered to let him go for treatment to Germany," Putin said. Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov had earlier denied that Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) had followed and poisoned Navalny. The European Union(EU) had imposed entry bans and frozen the bank accounts of six Russians suspected of positing Navalny,44, including FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov. Navalny had earlier urged the EU to put target economic sanctions on the oligarchs surrounding Putin. "The Russian state must be treated like a bunch of criminals who have temporarily seized power," Navalny said as he urged Europe to support the Russian people.

Who cares about him, if we wanted, we would have made it done: Putin on Navalny poisoning

Russian opposition leader Alexei <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/head-doctor-at-hospital-that-treated-navalny-promoted-341379">Navalny</a> who was poisoned in Russia in August addressed the European Parliament committee of foreign affairs on Friday and asserted that, "I'm definitely not the first one and unfortunately, I will not be the last one who poisoned to kill."

Watch:

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"It sounds radical, but especially from my own personal point of view. I think it's a very fine defining what they are. They are bunch of criminals temporarily to cover the power in our country," Navalny,44, told the Russian Parliament referring to the Putin regime.

"The main question we should ask ourselves why are people poisoning and the answer is very very simple money. So the European Union should target the money and Russian oligarchs, not just all oligarchs, but also new ones like these circle of Mr Putin," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-anti-corruption-foundation-office-raided-by-russian-police-341048">Navalny</a> told European parliamentarians.

Last week the German government had criticised Russia move to impose retaliatory sanctions on German and French officials over the poisoning of Navalny calling it "unjustified". EU had said that Navalny's poisoning could not have been carried out without complicity of Russia's security service.

Kremlin has denied allegations that it was behind Navalny's poisoning. The Russian opposition leader was treated in a Berlin's Charite hospital after being flown in from Russia where his condition was critical. Russian doctors had said that Navalny was suffering from metabolic issues and pancreatitis and wasn't poisoned.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had said earlier that he had personally authorised Navalny to travel to Germany for treatment. "As soon as the wife of this citizen appealed to me, straight away I told prosecutors to check the possibility of him going abroad for treatment," Putin said.

Russian foreign minister Lavrov had asserted that he had "reason to believe" that nerve agent entered Navalny's system while he was in Germany or during his stay at the Charite hospital. Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh had said the allegation that he was poisoned in Germany was "the most idiotic of them all".

Navalny had fallen ill on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow in August and was flown to Germany for treatment where doctors said he was poisoned with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.

Navalny is currently in Germany for treatment but has vowed to return home after recovering fully.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who was poisoned in Russia in August addressed the European Parliament committee of foreign affairs on Friday and asserted that, "I'm definitely not the first one and unfortunately, I will not be the last one who poisoned to kill.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who was poisoned in Russia in August addressed the European Parliament committee of foreign affairs on Friday and asserted that, "I'm definitely not the first one and unfortunately, I will not be the last one who poisoned to kill." Watch: "It sounds radical, but especially from my own personal point of view. I think it's a very fine defining what they are. They are bunch of criminals temporarily to cover the power in our country," Navalny,44, told the Russian Parliament referring to the Putin regime. "The main question we should ask ourselves why are people poisoning and the answer is very very simple money. So the European Union should target the money and Russian oligarchs, not just all oligarchs, but also new ones like these circle of Mr Putin," Navalny told European parliamentarians. Last week the German government had criticised Russia move to impose retaliatory sanctions on German and French officials over the poisoning of Navalny calling it "unjustified". EU had said that Navalny's poisoning could not have been carried out without complicity of Russia's security service. Kremlin has denied allegations that it was behind Navalny's poisoning. The Russian opposition leader was treated in a Berlin's Charite hospital after being flown in from Russia where his condition was critical. Russian doctors had said that Navalny was suffering from metabolic issues and pancreatitis and wasn't poisoned. Russian President Vladimir Putin had said earlier that he had personally authorised Navalny to travel to Germany for treatment. "As soon as the wife of this citizen appealed to me, straight away I told prosecutors to check the possibility of him going abroad for treatment," Putin said. Russian foreign minister Lavrov had asserted that he had "reason to believe" that nerve agent entered Navalny's system while he was in Germany or during his stay at the Charite hospital. Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh had said the allegation that he was poisoned in Germany was "the most idiotic of them all". Navalny had fallen ill on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow in August and was flown to Germany for treatment where doctors said he was poisoned with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok. Navalny is currently in Germany for treatment but has vowed to return home after recovering fully.

Target oligarchs around Putin, Navalny to European Parliament

Russian Opposition leader Alexi Navalny who was allegedly poisoned has been discharged from hospital after spending several weeks in a German hospital.

Watch:

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The German hospital said "complete recovery" was possible for the Russian leader.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/navalny-accuses-russia-of-withholding-an-important-piece-of-evidence-329190">Also Read:&nbsp;Navalny accuses Russia of withholding an 'important piece of evidence'</a>

"Based on the patient's progress and current condition, the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible," the German Charite hospital said in a statement. Navalny spent &nbsp;32 days in the hospital.

Navalny was admitted to hospital in Russia after he fell ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20 after allegedly being poisoned. He said that Western laboratories had found traces of Novichok nerve agent on his body.

"Two independent laboratories in France and Sweden and the Bundeswehr specialised laboratory confirmed the presence of Novichok in and on my body," the Russian leader said in his blog.&nbsp;

Navalny also demanded his clothes be returned which the Russian authorities had taken off when he was admitted to hospital and flown to Germany for treatment asserting that it was &nbsp;"important evidence".

"Taking into account that Novichok was found on my body, and poisoning through physical contact is highly likely, my clothes are a very important piece of evidence," he said in his blog, adding, "I demand my clothes be carefully packed in a plastic bag and returned to me."

Russian Opposition leader Alexi Navalny who was allegedly poisoned has been discharged from hospital after spending several weeks in a German hospital. Watch: The German hospital said "complete recovery" was possible for the Russian leader.

Russian Opposition leader Alexi Navalny who was allegedly poisoned has been discharged from hospital after spending several weeks in a German hospital. Watch: The German hospital said "complete recovery" was possible for the Russian leader. Also Read: Navalny accuses Russia of withholding an 'important piece of evidence' "Based on the patient's progress and current condition, the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible," the German Charite hospital said in a statement. Navalny spent 32 days in the hospital. Navalny was admitted to hospital in Russia after he fell ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20 after allegedly being poisoned. He said that Western laboratories had found traces of Novichok nerve agent on his body. "Two independent laboratories in France and Sweden and the Bundeswehr specialised laboratory confirmed the presence of Novichok in and on my body," the Russian leader said in his blog. Navalny also demanded his clothes be returned which the Russian authorities had taken off when he was admitted to hospital and flown to Germany for treatment asserting that it was "important evidence". "Taking into account that Novichok was found on my body, and poisoning through physical contact is highly likely, my clothes are a very important piece of evidence," he said in his blog, adding, "I demand my clothes be carefully packed in a plastic bag and returned to me."

German hospital releases Russian leader Navalny after Novichok poisoning

When Russia poisoned Opposition leader Alexei&nbsp;Navalny, not in its wildest dreams would it have thought that the attack on a critic would hurt Kremlin economically.

Russian diplomats were expelled post the Skripal poisoning and in the worst-case scenario, something similar would have followed Navalny's poisoning.

However, Kremlin forgot to look under the Baltic Sea. The Russian nerve agent may be killing the Nord Stream 2, the pipeline from Russia to Germany is almost complete but Berlin is threatening to put a hold to it and wants to negotiate - cooperate in Navalny's probe, else Berlin will suspend the Nord Stream 2.

German foreign minister Heiko Mass has warned to Kremlin.

"I hope the Russians won't force us to change our position regarding the Nord Stream 2," Mass said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel endorsed the foreign minister's view.

"The Chancellor shares the remarks made by the foreign minister over the weekend," Steffen Seibert, German government spokesman, said.

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There is domestic pressure on Merkel to pursue hard politics. Senior German leaders want Berlin to respond to Navalny's poisoning in perhaps the only language that Putin understands - money.

As Alexei Navalny comes out of the medically-induced coma, the 9.5 billion Euro Nord Stream 2 is staring at life support. The twin pipeline project is 2,460 km long and 2,300 km has already been completed.

The pipeline goes under the Baltic Sea and it is designed to send Russian gas to Germany and the rest of Europe. Moscow is looking at sending 110 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually.

Currently, Russia supplies 34 per cent of European gas with the Nord Stream 2, the number would touch 40 per cent.

The project is led by Russian company Gazprom and it is expected to start operating in early 2021. The pipeline has survived a lot of attacks - the US sanctioned the project in 2019&nbsp;since it is a big threat to Washington with the export of gas to Europe.

The European Union itself is divided on the Nord Stream 2. Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states believe it will increase the bloc's reliance on Russia. Merkel stood strong against all these objections with pandemic reducing energy demands, and the German economy dipping the question is whether the German Chancellor can separate politics from economy.

Germany could really use some brownie points on human rights.

When Russia poisoned Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, not in its wildest dreams would it have thought that the attack on a critic would hurt Kremlin economically.

When Russia poisoned Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, not in its wildest dreams would it have thought that the attack on a critic would hurt Kremlin economically. Russian diplomats were expelled post the Skripal poisoning and in the worst-case scenario, something similar would have followed Navalny's poisoning. However, Kremlin forgot to look under the Baltic Sea. The Russian nerve agent may be killing the Nord Stream 2, the pipeline from Russia to Germany is almost complete but Berlin is threatening to put a hold to it and wants to negotiate - cooperate in Navalny's probe, else Berlin will suspend the Nord Stream 2. German foreign minister Heiko Mass has warned to Kremlin. "I hope the Russians won't force us to change our position regarding the Nord Stream 2," Mass said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel endorsed the foreign minister's view. "The Chancellor shares the remarks made by the foreign minister over the weekend," Steffen Seibert, German government spokesman, said. × There is domestic pressure on Merkel to pursue hard politics. Senior German leaders want Berlin to respond to Navalny's poisoning in perhaps the only language that Putin understands - money. As Alexei Navalny comes out of the medically-induced coma, the 9.5 billion Euro Nord Stream 2 is staring at life support. The twin pipeline project is 2,460 km long and 2,300 km has already been completed. The pipeline goes under the Baltic Sea and it is designed to send Russian gas to Germany and the rest of Europe. Moscow is looking at sending 110 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually. Currently, Russia supplies 34 per cent of European gas with the Nord Stream 2, the number would touch 40 per cent. The project is led by Russian company Gazprom and it is expected to start operating in early 2021. The pipeline has survived a lot of attacks - the US sanctioned the project in 2019 since it is a big threat to Washington with the export of gas to Europe. The European Union itself is divided on the Nord Stream 2. Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states believe it will increase the bloc's reliance on Russia. Merkel stood strong against all these objections with pandemic reducing energy demands, and the German economy dipping the question is whether the German Chancellor can separate politics from economy. Germany could really use some brownie points on human rights.

Germany threatens to put Nord Stream 2 project on hold as Russia fails to cooperate in Navalny probe

Both Germany and Russia are resolutely maintaining there stance over the alleged poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

A spokesman for German&nbsp;Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said the country&nbsp;will not rule out consequences for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project if Russia fails to thoroughly investigate the incident.

Asked whether Merkel would protect the multi-billion-euro pipeline from Russia to Europe if Germany were to seek sanctions over the Navalny case, spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "The chancellor believes it would be wrong to rule anything out from the start."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ready-to-cooperate-with-germany-on-navalnys-case-24-hours-per-day-russia-325535" hreflang="en">Ready to cooperate with Germany on Navalny’s case 24 hours per day: Russia</a>

Nord Stream 2, a $11-billion&nbsp;pipeline near completion beneath the Baltic Sea, is set to double Russian natural-gas shipments to Germany, Europe's largest economy.

It has long been in the crosshairs of the United States, which has criticised European countries for their reliance on energy from Russia.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-curious-case-of-russian-kremlin-critics-who-were-allegedly-poisoned-321943">The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned</a>

Meanwhile, the Kremlin on Monday denounced attempts to blame the Russian state for the alleged poisoning.

"Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

Anti-corruption campaigner Navalny fell ill on a flight last month and was treated in a Siberian hospital before being evacuated to Berlin.

Germany said last week there was "unequivocal evidence" that Putin's top critic had been poisoned with Novichok.

Both Germany and Russia are resolutely maintaining there stance over the alleged poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said the country will not rule out consequences for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project if Russia fails to thoroughly investigate the incident.

Both Germany and Russia are resolutely maintaining there stance over the alleged poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said the country will not rule out consequences for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project if Russia fails to thoroughly investigate the incident. Asked whether Merkel would protect the multi-billion-euro pipeline from Russia to Europe if Germany were to seek sanctions over the Navalny case, spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "The chancellor believes it would be wrong to rule anything out from the start." Also read: Ready to cooperate with Germany on Navalny’s case 24 hours per day: Russia Nord Stream 2, a $11-billion pipeline near completion beneath the Baltic Sea, is set to double Russian natural-gas shipments to Germany, Europe's largest economy. It has long been in the crosshairs of the United States, which has criticised European countries for their reliance on energy from Russia. Also see: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned Meanwhile, the Kremlin on Monday denounced attempts to blame the Russian state for the alleged poisoning. "Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. Anti-corruption campaigner Navalny fell ill on a flight last month and was treated in a Siberian hospital before being evacuated to Berlin. Germany said last week there was "unequivocal evidence" that Putin's top critic had been poisoned with Novichok.

Germany and Russia refuse to budge on stance over Navalny poisoning