Russian police detain opposition leader Navalny at protest

Russian sanctions passed by Congress that were supposed to be implemented by Trump in October have a deadline on Monday. They can only help the protesters in Russia. But will Trump actually implement them? Not looking good since he hasn't done so yet.

Navalny does have some unhealthy ties to nationalists in Russia, but still, locking up the opposition and critics of Putin shows that the post-Soviet country has a long way to go before true democracy takes hold.

before true democracy takes hold

Staging rallies at public places without permission and obstructing usual city life is not "true democracy". Navalny can stage his rallies at places where such events are usually held, but he would't, because if he does so there will be no clash with the police and no attention from the Western media, he would't be the anti-Putin hero and darling of the West. Pure and simple.

Western countries are trying to interfere where 85% of people in Russia support Putin. Abe is 36% May ? Macron 38%...etc. trump is 70% in second place.

Luckily we don't have a regime like that in the US! /sarc

I doubt he's the darling of the west.

He's appeared in public with far right groups in Russia who have carried out violent attacks on non slavic Russians. Personally, I think he's a wrong 'un.

But democracy is democracy. It's disappearing all around us.

I doubt he's the darling of the west

Oh, he is! Google your friend, you'll find dozens of articles in Western MSM, all very pro-Navalny. Interesting to note that there is not a word about his appearances "with far right groups" as you claim, only "democratic leader, freedon fighter" and all the usual blah-blah MSM produce when they want to propel somebody to power. Very telling, very obvious.

Macron 38%...etc. trump is 70% in second place.

Macron 52%, Trump 38%

https://qz.com/1159399/emmanuel-macrons-approval-ratings-show-unprecedented-rise-in-popularity-in-france/

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/

"...protesters gathered in temperatures of nearly -10 Celsius (50 Fahrenheit)..."

Someone seriously goofed with that temperature comparison!