US President Joe Biden says he holds Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible after the Russian prison service announced that opposition figure Alexey Navalny has died in prison. 

"Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny's death. Putin does not only target citizens of other countries, as we've seen in what's going on in Ukraine right now - he also inflicts terrible crimes on his own people. Navalny bravely stood up to the corruption, the violence, and all the bad things that the Putin government was doing. In response, Putin had him poisoned, he had him arrested, he had him prosecuted for fabricated crimes. Even in prison, he was a powerful voice for the truth," - Biden said.

"He could have lived safely in exile after the assassination attempt on him in 2020, which nearly killed him. Instead, he returned to Russia — knowing he'd likely be imprisoned, maybe killed if he continued his work. But he did it anyway. Because he believed so deeply in his country, in Russia," the president continued.

US President Joe Biden said reports of the death of opposition figure Alexey Navalny should galvanize the United States to provide funding for Ukraine's war against Russia. The United States has to "provide funding so Ukraine can keep defending itself," the president said in remarks from the White House, hours after the Russian prison service reported Navalny's death. Failure to provide further funding "will never be forgotten," Biden said. "The clock is ticking," the president added. "This has to happen."

Biden was asked by reporters whether there was any way to get additional ammunition to Ukraine without the passage of a supplemental funding bill by Congress. 

“No, but it’s about time they step up, don’t you think? Instead of going on a two-week vacation,” he said, referencing two-week breaks in both the House and Senate this month. 

Biden raised his voice: "Two weeks, they’re walking away. Two weeks. What are they thinking? My God, this is bizarre, and it’s just reinforcing all of the concern and almost - I won’t say "panic" — but real concern about the United States being a reliable ally."

Asked whether Navalny’s reported death would burgeon support for additional funding from members of Congress, Biden said, “I hope to God it helps.”