White House’s Jake Sullivan Responds to ‘Terrible Tragedy’ of Putin Opposition Leader’s Death: ‘Real and Obvious Questions’

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan called the death of Alexei Navalny a “terrible tragedy” on Friday. Though he said the government is working to independently confirm the death, there are already “obvious questions.”

“If it’s confirmed, it is a terrible tragedy, and given the Russian government’s long and sordid history of doing harm to its opponents, it raises real and obvious questions about what happened here,” Sullivan told NPR.

He said he’d withhold any further comments until further actions can be decided.

“I’ll withhold further comments until we learn more, and we are actively seeking confirmation, as I know Mr Navalny’s family is as well, and will determine from there what comes next,” he said.

Navalny’s death was revealed by the Federal Penitentiary Service for Yamal. They claimed Navalny was walking and collapsed and that all necessary steps were taken to resuscitate him. There have, however, already been accusations that Russian President Vladimir Putin is behind the death of the opposition leader.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, who called Navalny a “friend,” said on Friday it’s “crystal clear” Putin is behind Navalny’s death as the 47-year-old activist was one of his most successful and vocal critics.

Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke from Munich on Friday and declared, “Russia is responsible” for Navalny’s death and said there would be more on the matter later.