The German government has acquired "evidence that leaves no doubt" that Russian dissident Alexei Navalny was poisoned.
This was stated by Steffen Seibert, specifying that "the German government condemns this attack in the most severe way and calls for clarity urgently".
"It is a shocking fact that Alexei Navalny in Russia was the victim of an attack with a nerve agent", the note reads, adding that "Navalny's wife has been informed by the doctors of the Charité".
The Charitè university polyclinic, where the Russian politician is hospitalized, commissioned a special laboratory of the German army to carry out toxicological analyzes, we read in the government note, and this test revealed "without any doubt" the presence of a substance chemical toxic of the Novichok group.
"On the basis of today's new knowledge" the German Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to "ask for an urgent clarification" on the Navalny poisoning.
Berlin wants Russia to clarify with an investigation and "that those responsible pay before the law", said Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, in a statement to the press, released together with Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
Seven ministers from Merkel's cabinet met today to deliberate on the next steps to take.
The meeting convened by Angela Merkel was attended by the Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Foreign Ministers Heiko Maas, the Interior Ministers Horst Seehofer, the Justice Christine Lambrecht, the Defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and the head of the cencelleria Helge Braun.
"Through the Foreign Ministry and the planned routes, the German government will report the results of the analyzes" which confirm the poisoning of Alexei Navalny "to EU and NATO partners.
Angela Merkel's spokesperson, Steffen Seibert, writes in a note.
Thus, in light of Russia's position, "we will consult with partners for an appropriate reaction", concludes the statement.
The Kremlin claims that it is not aware of the conclusions of the German authorities according to which the Russian opponent Aleksey Navalny was poisoned with a neurotoxin of the Novichok type: Putin's spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, reprimanded by TASS said.
"No, that news was not brought to our attention," Peskov said.
A Novichok-type nerve agent, according to British authorities, was used to attempt to assassinate former double-agent spy Serghiei Skripal.
"Russia should have an interest in having good relations with its neighbors."
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said this in a joint note with Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on the Navalny case.
"At the latest, now is the time to make a decisive contribution" in this direction, the minister urged, commenting on the decisive evidence on the poisoning of the Russian dissident.