Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. To this end, Berlin's Justice Ministry has tasked state prosecutors with working with Russian authorities.

Berlin state prosecutors said in a tweet that their office had been commissioned to provide legal assistance to Russia and information on Navalny's state of health, "subject to his consent."

Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critic, was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on August 20. German experts determined that the 44-year-old was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting Berlin to demand that Russia investigate the case.

He was kept in an induced coma for more than a week, before hospital officials said Monday his condition had improved enough for him to be brought out of it.

Russian authorities, in turn, have prodded Germany to share the evidence that led them to conclude that Navalny was poisoned with a military nerve agent. The said agent from the Novichok group was famously used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England, in 2018.

Russian doctors previously said they had found no sign of Navalny's poisoning.

The move to task Berlin prosecutors to work with Russian investigators came a week after Russia's request for assistance was received by the Berlin state Justice Ministry. 
&nbsp;

Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. To this end, Berlin's Justice Ministry has tasked state prosecutors with working with Russian authorities.

Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. To this end, Berlin's Justice Ministry has tasked state prosecutors with working with Russian authorities. Berlin state prosecutors said in a tweet that their office had been commissioned to provide legal assistance to Russia and information on Navalny's state of health, "subject to his consent." Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critic, was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on August 20. German experts determined that the 44-year-old was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting Berlin to demand that Russia investigate the case. He was kept in an induced coma for more than a week, before hospital officials said Monday his condition had improved enough for him to be brought out of it. Russian authorities, in turn, have prodded Germany to share the evidence that led them to conclude that Navalny was poisoned with a military nerve agent. The said agent from the Novichok group was famously used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England, in 2018. Russian doctors previously said they had found no sign of Navalny's poisoning. The move to task Berlin prosecutors to work with Russian investigators came a week after Russia's request for assistance was received by the Berlin state Justice Ministry.

Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe

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

Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday.

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Russian opposition leader 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 President Vladimir Putin's top foe had been poisoned using Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.

"If in the coming days Russia does not help clarify what happened, we will be compelled to discuss a response with our allies," Heiko Maas told German daily Bild.

Any sanctions decided should be "targeted", he added.

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Western leaders and many Russians have expressed horror at what Navalny's allies say is the first known use of chemical weapons against a high-profile opposition leader on Russian soil.

The Kremlin has denied responsibility for the attack and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Germany is yet to share any findings with Moscow's prosecutors.

Maas on Sunday said there were "several indications" that Russia was behind the poisoning, in the strongest accusations yet from Germany.

"The deadly substance with which Navalny was poisoned has in the past been found in the hands of Russian authorities.

"Only a small number of people have access to Novichok and this poison was used by Russian secret services in the attack against former agent Sergei Skripal," he said, referring to the 2018 attack in the English city of Salisbury.

On the subject of which sanctions could be discussed by the EU, Maas didn't rule out action relating to the disputed Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

The controversial 10-billion-euro ($11-billion) project is meant to deliver Russian gas to Europe, but has been strongly contested by the United States.

"I hope... that the Russians do not force us to change our position on Nord Stream," he said, adding that the consequences of any potential cancellation of the project would also need to be weighed, and that the debate on sanctions should not be "reduced" to one point.

Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday.

Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, its foreign minister said Sunday. Also read: Hong Kong activist arrested for 'seditious words' before rally Russian opposition leader 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 President Vladimir Putin's top foe had been poisoned using Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok. "If in the coming days Russia does not help clarify what happened, we will be compelled to discuss a response with our allies," Heiko Maas told German daily Bild. Any sanctions decided should be "targeted", he added. Also read: North Korea's Kim Jong Un orders thousands to help typhoon recovery Western leaders and many Russians have expressed horror at what Navalny's allies say is the first known use of chemical weapons against a high-profile opposition leader on Russian soil. The Kremlin has denied responsibility for the attack and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Germany is yet to share any findings with Moscow's prosecutors. Maas on Sunday said there were "several indications" that Russia was behind the poisoning, in the strongest accusations yet from Germany. "The deadly substance with which Navalny was poisoned has in the past been found in the hands of Russian authorities. "Only a small number of people have access to Novichok and this poison was used by Russian secret services in the attack against former agent Sergei Skripal," he said, referring to the 2018 attack in the English city of Salisbury. On the subject of which sanctions could be discussed by the EU, Maas didn't rule out action relating to the disputed Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The controversial 10-billion-euro ($11-billion) project is meant to deliver Russian gas to Europe, but has been strongly contested by the United States. "I hope... that the Russians do not force us to change our position on Nord Stream," he said, adding that the consequences of any potential cancellation of the project would also need to be weighed, and that the debate on sanctions should not be "reduced" to one point.

German foreign minister threatens sanctions over Navalny poisoning

Amid row over Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny's poisoning, US President Donald Trump said that his government hasn't received&nbsp;"any proof yet" of his alleged poisoning but added that he will take a look at it.

Watch:

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"I don't know exactly what happened. I think it's tragic, it's terrible, it shouldn't happen," the US president said, adding, "We haven't had any proof yet, but I will take a look at it."&nbsp;

Germany had said it had &nbsp;"unequivocal evidence" that Navalny, 44, was poisoned and has briefed NATO allies and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

"We have not seen it ourselves," Trump said on Germany's declaration, however, he added that based on what Germany is saying that seems to be the case, he added.

"I would be very angry if that's the case," Trump asserted.

The European Union had earlier threatened sanctions against Russia if it failed to cooperate in Navalny's probe. EU said: "use of chemical weapon is completely unacceptable under any circumstances (and) constitutes a serious breach of international law and international human rights standards," as Josep Borrell, EU's foreign policy chief urged Russia to cooperate.

Germany had said that Navalny was exposed to Novichok.

However, Russia hit out against the findings as Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "A whole number of theories including poisoning were considered from the very first days, according to our doctors, this theory has not been proved."

"We have nothing to hide," Peskov added.

Amid row over Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny's poisoning, US President Donald Trump said that his government hasn't received "any proof yet" of his alleged poisoning but added that he will take a look at it.

Amid row over Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny's poisoning, US President Donald Trump said that his government hasn't received "any proof yet" of his alleged poisoning but added that he will take a look at it. Watch: "I don't know exactly what happened. I think it's tragic, it's terrible, it shouldn't happen," the US president said, adding, "We haven't had any proof yet, but I will take a look at it." Germany had said it had "unequivocal evidence" that Navalny, 44, was poisoned and has briefed NATO allies and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "We have not seen it ourselves," Trump said on Germany's declaration, however, he added that based on what Germany is saying that seems to be the case, he added. "I would be very angry if that's the case," Trump asserted. The European Union had earlier threatened sanctions against Russia if it failed to cooperate in Navalny's probe. EU said: "use of chemical weapon is completely unacceptable under any circumstances (and) constitutes a serious breach of international law and international human rights standards," as Josep Borrell, EU's foreign policy chief urged Russia to cooperate. Germany had said that Navalny was exposed to Novichok. However, Russia hit out against the findings as Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "A whole number of theories including poisoning were considered from the very first days, according to our doctors, this theory has not been proved." "We have nothing to hide," Peskov added.

'It's tragic': Trump says will be 'very angry' if Navalny poisoning case proved

Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny who has been suffering from suspected poisoning was flown from &nbsp;Russia to Berlin in an air ambulance as doctors said his condition was "stable".

Watch:

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Navalny was shifted from Berlin's Tegel airport to Berlin's Charite hospital on Friday morning after Chancellor Angela Merkel had earlier extended an offer of treatment. Navalny, 44, had slipped into coma after falling ill on a plane which took off from Tomsk in Siberia and had to make an emergency landing in Omsk.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mysterious-russian-poison-cases-radioactive-polonium-toxic-nerve-agent-to-chemicals-322391">In Pics:&nbsp;Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals</a>

Navalny reportedly had a cup of tea at the airport which his aides said was mixed with poison as they sought to blame Putin's regime for his state. However, the &nbsp;Omsk regional health ministry said "no convulsive or synthetic poisons was detected.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-airlifted-to-germany-condition-stable-after-landing-322296">Also Read:&nbsp;Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny airlifted to Germany</a>

After the plane left for Germany, Navalny's wife Yulia thanked supporters for their "persistence" after Russian doctors had earlier said the Opposition leader was too unstable to be moved. "Without your support, we wouldn't have been able to take him!" she said on Instagram.

Navalny's wife had earlier appealed directly to Putin to allow her husband to leave. Navalny wife had said she wanted "an independent hospital, whose doctors we trust".

Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny who has been suffering from suspected poisoning was flown from Russia to Berlin in an air ambulance as doctors said his condition was "stable".

Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny who has been suffering from suspected poisoning was flown from Russia to Berlin in an air ambulance as doctors said his condition was "stable". Watch: Navalny was shifted from Berlin's Tegel airport to Berlin's Charite hospital on Friday morning after Chancellor Angela Merkel had earlier extended an offer of treatment. Navalny, 44, had slipped into coma after falling ill on a plane which took off from Tomsk in Siberia and had to make an emergency landing in Omsk. In Pics: Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals Navalny reportedly had a cup of tea at the airport which his aides said was mixed with poison as they sought to blame Putin's regime for his state. However, the Omsk regional health ministry said "no convulsive or synthetic poisons was detected. Also Read: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny airlifted to Germany After the plane left for Germany, Navalny's wife Yulia thanked supporters for their "persistence" after Russian doctors had earlier said the Opposition leader was too unstable to be moved. "Without your support, we wouldn't have been able to take him!" she said on Instagram. Navalny's wife had earlier appealed directly to Putin to allow her husband to leave. Navalny wife had said she wanted "an independent hospital, whose doctors we trust".

Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny shifted to Berlin hospital; condition stable, says doctor