Olena Zelenska declined the White House invitation to participate in President Biden's address to Congress this Thursday. She refused due to the prospect of sitting next to the widow of russian opposition figure Navalny, who acknowledged Crimea as russian. The Washington Post reported this on March 6.
"The presence of both women, each a symbol of resistance to russian president vladimir putin, would have been a powerful backdrop for President Biden's address to a joint session of Congress", - the publication wrote regarding plans to seat Olena Zelenska next to Jill Biden and Yulia Navalnaya.
It is noted that the White House intended to seat the First Ladies of America and Ukraine alongside the widow of russian opposition figure Navalny, as a symbol of resistance to putin. However, according to the publication, this is unacceptable for Ukraine due to Navalny's statements about the annexed Crimea belonging to russia.
As reported by The Washington Post, the potential presence of Navalnaya caused discomfort in Kyiv. A White House spokesperson noted that Zelenska's decision was likely due to "scheduling conflicts" and added that guest seating is coordinated closer to the event.
It is emphasized that Navalnaya also declined to attend Biden's speech due to fatigue. "Yulia was indeed invited, but I think everyone forgets the circumstances under which events unfolded. Yulia's husband died two weeks ago. She needs at least a little time to recover now", - said Navalnaya's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh on this matter.
At the same time, citing an American official, it is reported that the White House probably did not inform Kyiv that Navalnaya had decided to withdraw from the event.