Navalnaya’s new job will be leading the Russian opposition through one of the darkest and most turbulent times in its history. Navalny returned to Russia from Germany, analysts suggested, because he knew it would be difficult to be perceived as a legitimate opposition leader while abroad. On Friday, shortly after news of Navalny’s death broke, she met a woman in a similar situation — Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Tsikhanouskaya picked up the political baton from her husband, Belarusian opposition leader Siarhei Tsikhanouski, in 2020 after he was jailed in the run-up to Belarus' presidential election. Navalnaya could be the person to unite the Russian opposition, which is known “for its disagreements and squabbles,” Ashurkov suggested.

Source: ABC News February 22, 2024 11:57 UTC