<p>Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska has declined US First Lady Jill Biden's invitation to attend Thursday's (March 7) State of the Union address. Another invitee, Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in an Arctic prison, has also decided to forego one of Washington's most dignified events.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A plan spoiled</strong></h2>

<p>As per a Washington Post report citing officials familiar with the event's planning, the intent was to seat the two women on either side of Jill Biden.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-war-us-airdrops-fresh-round-of-humanitarian-aid-to-gaza-36800-meals-delivered-697053">Israel-Hamas war: US airdrops fresh round of humanitarian aid to Gaza; 36,800 meals delivered</a></strong></p>

<p>Reportedly, this arrangement would have symbolised resistance to Russian President Vladimir Putin and provided a powerful backdrop to President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress.</p>

<h2><strong>Why did they cancel?</strong></h2>

<p>The potential presence of Navalnaya is believed to have been a cause of discomfort to the Ukrainians. This is because Navalny's past statements regarding Crimea being part of Russia have clouded his legacy in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Despite Navalny later supporting Ukraine's internationally recognised borders, many Ukrainians continue to view the Kremlin critic as out of step with their goals.</p>

<p>A White House official cited "schedule conflicts" as the reason for Zelenska’s decision and said that the seating arrangement is typically finalised near the end of the planning process.</p>

<p>Navalnaya also declined the invitation, citing fatigue following her husband's recent death.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said, "I think everyone forgets the circumstances against which the events unfolded."</p>

<p>"Yulia's husband died two weeks ago. She's been travelling all this time. Today is the first day she's been home at all. Like any human being, she needs time to recover, and so while she very much appreciates the invitation, she needs to recover at least a little now," she added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/love-you-more-and-more-alexei-navalnys-last-message-for-his-wife-from-jail-691011">‘Love you more and more,’ Navalny’s last message for his wife Yulia. Who is she?</a></strong></p>

<p>This year, guests may include the parents of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia, the first person born via in-vitro fertilisation in the United States, and families of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>As of now, there is only confirmation of one guest, Kate Cox, a Dallas-area woman who was forced to seek an abortion outside of Texas after a near-total ban in the state. The abortion was made necessary by a fetal genetic condition.</p>

<h2><strong>Biden and Ukraine</strong></h2>

<p>Ukraine is currently lobbying House Republicans to support President Joe Biden's request for $60 billion in aid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his address, Biden is expected to urge House Republicans to pass the Ukraine funding quickly.</p>

<p>The government of President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly been seeking to avoid being seen as too closely aligned with Biden to prevent further politicisation of the war effort.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the report, this could also be because of the possibility that Republican Donald Trump may replace him in the White House after the November elections.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska has declined US First Lady Jill Biden's invitation to attend Thursday's (March 7) State of the Union address. Another invitee, Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in an Arctic prison, has also decided to forego one of Washington's most dignified events.

Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska has declined US First Lady Jill Biden's invitation to attend Thursday's (March 7) State of the Union address. Another invitee, Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in an Arctic prison, has also decided to forego one of Washington's most dignified events. A plan spoiled As per a Washington Post report citing officials familiar with the event's planning, the intent was to seat the two women on either side of Jill Biden. Also read | Israel-Hamas war: US airdrops fresh round of humanitarian aid to Gaza; 36,800 meals delivered Reportedly, this arrangement would have symbolised resistance to Russian President Vladimir Putin and provided a powerful backdrop to President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress. Why did they cancel? The potential presence of Navalnaya is believed to have been a cause of discomfort to the Ukrainians. This is because Navalny's past statements regarding Crimea being part of Russia have clouded his legacy in Ukraine. Despite Navalny later supporting Ukraine's internationally recognised borders, many Ukrainians continue to view the Kremlin critic as out of step with their goals. A White House official cited "schedule conflicts" as the reason for Zelenska’s decision and said that the seating arrangement is typically finalised near the end of the planning process. Navalnaya also declined the invitation, citing fatigue following her husband's recent death. Her spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said, "I think everyone forgets the circumstances against which the events unfolded." "Yulia's husband died two weeks ago. She's been travelling all this time. Today is the first day she's been home at all. Like any human being, she needs time to recover, and so while she very much appreciates the invitation, she needs to recover at least a little now," she added. Also read | ‘Love you more and more,’ Navalny’s last message for his wife Yulia. Who is she? This year, guests may include the parents of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia, the first person born via in-vitro fertilisation in the United States, and families of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. As of now, there is only confirmation of one guest, Kate Cox, a Dallas-area woman who was forced to seek an abortion outside of Texas after a near-total ban in the state. The abortion was made necessary by a fetal genetic condition. Biden and Ukraine Ukraine is currently lobbying House Republicans to support President Joe Biden's request for $60 billion in aid. In his address, Biden is expected to urge House Republicans to pass the Ukraine funding quickly. The government of President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly been seeking to avoid being seen as too closely aligned with Biden to prevent further politicisation of the war effort. As per the report, this could also be because of the possibility that Republican Donald Trump may replace him in the White House after the November elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine's first lady and Alexei Navalny's wife decline Jill Biden's invitation to State of the Union address

<p><strong>Alexei Navalny wife Yulia:</strong> Putin critic Alexei Navalny is believed to have written "I love you more and more" in a letter to his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, as a final Valentine’s Day message. He sent the message from behind the bars, reported The Sun.</p>

<p>The jailed Russian opposition leader reportedly died Friday (Feb 16), according to Russian state media. The reports said he collapsed inside the brutal Polar Wolf jail and could not be resuscitated.</p>

<h2><strong>Alexei Navalny’s last message to his wife</strong></h2>

<p>Alexei Navalny wrote in his letter: "Baby, everything is like a song with you: between us there are cities, the take-off lights of airfields, blue snowstorms and thousands of kilometres.”</p>

<p>"But I feel that you are near every second, and I love you more and more," the embattled leader wrote in his last declaration of love.</p>

<h2><strong>Who is Alexei Navalny’s wife?</strong></h2>

<p>Yulia Navalnaya, 47, has been described as Russia’s ‘first lady’ of the opposition. Yulia met Navalny in the summer of 1998 during holidays in Turkey. The couple got married two years later, in 2000.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The couple has two children—a daughter Daria, 23, and a son Zakhar, 15.</p>

<p>Yulia Navalnaya was an economist and worked with several Russian banks before getting married to Navalny. She supported her husband throughout his long, perilous journey against the most powerful leader of Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw36DCwZpK2Ic-S6PfZKAigv" data-ved="2ahUKEwig8dunlbCEAxVvzTgGHTrzDhsQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-the-embattled-putin-critic-now-reported-dead-what-you-need-to-know-690964" jsname="YKoRaf">Alexei Navalny, the embattled Putin critic, now reported dead: What you need to know</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2020, while Alexei Navalny battled death in Germany after allegedly being poisoned by Russian agents, Yulia used to brief journalists about his condition.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Alexei Navalny dead in prison, says Russia | Navalny's team says not informed about his death</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Yulia Navalnaya’s reaction after reports of her husband’s death</strong></h2>

<p>Yulia said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his associates will not go unpunished if the death of Alexei Navalny turns out to be true, Reuters reported.</p>

<p>She also called on the international community to join forces and stand up to the “horrific regime” of Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Alexei Navalny wife Yulia: Putin critic Alexei Navalny is believed to have written "I love you more and more" in a letter to his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, as a final Valentine’s Day message.

Alexei Navalny wife Yulia: Putin critic Alexei Navalny is believed to have written "I love you more and more" in a letter to his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, as a final Valentine’s Day message. He sent the message from behind the bars, reported The Sun. The jailed Russian opposition leader reportedly died Friday (Feb 16), according to Russian state media. The reports said he collapsed inside the brutal Polar Wolf jail and could not be resuscitated. Alexei Navalny’s last message to his wife Alexei Navalny wrote in his letter: "Baby, everything is like a song with you: between us there are cities, the take-off lights of airfields, blue snowstorms and thousands of kilometres.” "But I feel that you are near every second, and I love you more and more," the embattled leader wrote in his last declaration of love. Who is Alexei Navalny’s wife? Yulia Navalnaya, 47, has been described as Russia’s ‘first lady’ of the opposition. Yulia met Navalny in the summer of 1998 during holidays in Turkey. The couple got married two years later, in 2000. The couple has two children—a daughter Daria, 23, and a son Zakhar, 15. Yulia Navalnaya was an economist and worked with several Russian banks before getting married to Navalny. She supported her husband throughout his long, perilous journey against the most powerful leader of Russia. Also read: Alexei Navalny, the embattled Putin critic, now reported dead: What you need to know In 2020, while Alexei Navalny battled death in Germany after allegedly being poisoned by Russian agents, Yulia used to brief journalists about his condition. Watch: Alexei Navalny dead in prison, says Russia | Navalny's team says not informed about his death × Yulia Navalnaya’s reaction after reports of her husband’s death Yulia said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his associates will not go unpunished if the death of Alexei Navalny turns out to be true, Reuters reported. She also called on the international community to join forces and stand up to the “horrific regime” of Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Love you more and more,’ Navalny’s last message for his wife Yulia. Who is she?

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Ukraine's first lady and Alexei Navalny's wife decline Jill Biden's invitation to State of the Union address

‘Love you more and more,’ Navalny’s last message for his wife Yulia. Who is she?