Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, said that she would one day return to Russia and run for the post of president when Vladimir Putin is no longer in power, the BBC reported on Monday (Oct 21).

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, said that she would one day return to Russia and run for the post of president when Vladimir Putin is no longer in power, the BBC reported on Monday (Oct 21). "My political opponent is Vladimir Putin. And I will do everything to make his regime fall as soon as possible," Navalnaya said and pointed out that when the time is right, she would participate in the election as a candidate. While Putin, Russia's paramount leader since the last day of 1999, is still in power, Navalnaya said she would not return, the BBC report said. Alexei Navalny died in an Arctic prison in unclear circumstances in February. He had been serving sentences totalling more than 30 years on charges he said were rigged to silence his criticism of Putin. Navalnaya accuses Putin of killing her husband Yulia Navalnaya has accused Putin of killing her husband, a claim the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed. In August, she dismissed information from investigators that Navalny had died from "a combination of diseases." Also read | Hope to see Putin go from being 'tsar' to ordinary prisoner: Navalny's widow Navalnaya also told BBC that the Anti-Corruption Foundation she now leads in her husband’s place has evidence that she will reveal when they have "the whole picture." 'Hope to see Putin go from being 'tsar' to ordinary prisoner' A few days back, Navalnaya said that she one day hoped to see Vladimir Putin go from being "tsar of Russia to an ordinary prisoner." Navalnaya, who for many years has been based in Germany, told The Sunday Times that she would not return to Russia until she knew she "won't be imprisoned in an airport like Alexei", conceding that "nobody knows" when that might be possible. In July, Moscow added Navalny's widow to its list of "terrorists" and "extremists", and also issued an arrest warrant. On being asked about her feelings towards Putin, Navalnaya said that she did not hate the Russian president but wanted to see him in jail, "like my husband was." (With inputs from agencies)

Will return to Russia one day to run for president when...: Navalny's widow

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, received a prestigious press prize from a German publishing house in Bavaria. At the event, on Friday, April 19, Navalnaya reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to promoting media freedom and carrying on her late husband's legacy.

Navalnaya was adamant in her desire to support press freedom in Russia. She affirmed her dedication to ensure that "Russians who stand against Putin and war have access to uncensored information they can trust and share."&nbsp;

During her acceptance speech, Navalnaya reiterated her earlier statements, alleging Russian President Vladimir Putin's involvement in her husband's death while in prison.&nbsp;

In a recent interview with Time magazine, Navalnaya revealed that she hired a bodyguard following an attack on a close acquaintance of her late husband. Leonid Volkov, a close assistant of Navalny, was attacked with a hammer outside his home in Vilnius, Lithuania, and suffered serious injuries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-pro-democracy-activist-alexei-navalnys-posthumous-memoir-to-release-in-october-710363">Late Russian pro-democracy activist Alexei Navalny’s memoir to release in October</a>

Navalny's posthumous memoir, titled 'Patriot,' is set to be released on October 22 by US publisher Alfred A. Knopf. The memoir, completed before Navalny's death in a Russian prison in 2024, offers a comprehensive account of his life, activism, and unwavering commitment to the cause of Russian democracy.

Yulia Navalnaya, who is collaborating with publishers to finalise the manuscript, emphasises that the 'Patriot' is “a testament not only to Alexei’s life but to his unwavering commitment to the fight against dictatorship – a fight he gave everything for, including his life.”&nbsp;

"It is the full story of his life: his youth, his call to activism, his marriage and family, and his commitment to the cause of Russian democracy and freedom in the face of a world super-power determined to silence him," Knopf's statement read. "It expresses Navalny's total conviction that change cannot be resisted and will come," the publisher wrote.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, received a prestigious press prize from a German publishing house in Bavaria. At the event, on Friday, April 19, Navalnaya reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to promoting media freedom and carrying on her late husband's legacy.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, received a prestigious press prize from a German publishing house in Bavaria. At the event, on Friday, April 19, Navalnaya reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to promoting media freedom and carrying on her late husband's legacy. Navalnaya was adamant in her desire to support press freedom in Russia. She affirmed her dedication to ensure that "Russians who stand against Putin and war have access to uncensored information they can trust and share." During her acceptance speech, Navalnaya reiterated her earlier statements, alleging Russian President Vladimir Putin's involvement in her husband's death while in prison. In a recent interview with Time magazine, Navalnaya revealed that she hired a bodyguard following an attack on a close acquaintance of her late husband. Leonid Volkov, a close assistant of Navalny, was attacked with a hammer outside his home in Vilnius, Lithuania, and suffered serious injuries. Also read: Late Russian pro-democracy activist Alexei Navalny’s memoir to release in October Navalny's posthumous memoir, titled 'Patriot,' is set to be released on October 22 by US publisher Alfred A. Knopf. The memoir, completed before Navalny's death in a Russian prison in 2024, offers a comprehensive account of his life, activism, and unwavering commitment to the cause of Russian democracy. Yulia Navalnaya, who is collaborating with publishers to finalise the manuscript, emphasises that the 'Patriot' is “a testament not only to Alexei’s life but to his unwavering commitment to the fight against dictatorship – a fight he gave everything for, including his life.” "It is the full story of his life: his youth, his call to activism, his marriage and family, and his commitment to the cause of Russian democracy and freedom in the face of a world super-power determined to silence him," Knopf's statement read. "It expresses Navalny's total conviction that change cannot be resisted and will come," the publisher wrote.

Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya gets German press award

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;

<h2>A plan spoiled</h2>

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 |&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>

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.

<h2>Why did they cancel?</h2>

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.&nbsp;

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 |&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>

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.

<h2>Biden and Ukraine</h2>

Ukraine is currently lobbying House Republicans to support President Joe Biden's request for $60 billion in aid.&nbsp;

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.&nbsp;

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 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

Thousands of Russians have posted selfies wearing red tops to show support for jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny's wife.

Is Navalny's wife Yulia Navalnaya is a new force in Russia