WASHINGTON, D.C.: A fierce Russian opponent of President Vladimir Putin who was poisoned in his homeland told US lawmakers Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) it was imperative that Washington remain engaged with that country’s pro-democracy movement.

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian human-rights champion, also urged US President Donald Trump’s administration to keep pressure on Moscow, warning that ignoring evidence that Russia interfered in last year’s US election would only hand the Kremlin an invitation to ramp up its domestic oppression and its aggression abroad.