The Kremlin is challenging the United States and Europe to live up to their words and retaliate over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. Vladimir Putin is gambling that European Union business interests and U.S. political interests will obstruct such action.

An investigative journalist and political dissident, Navalny was attacked with a highly concentrated Novichok-class nerve agent on Aug. 20 as he traveled in Siberia. After an inexcusable delay ordered by the Kremlin, Navalny was finally transported to a German hospital where he is now recuperating.