Ukraine’s First Lady Declines White House Invitation to State of the Union Address
Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, has declined an invitation to attend President Biden’s State of the Union address on Thursday, citing a scheduling conflict. Her office stated that she had prior commitments, including a visit of children from an orphanage to Kyiv, which was planned in advance.
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei A. Navalny, who recently passed away in a Russian prison, was also invited to the address but is unable to attend, according to the White House.
The potential presence of both women at the event could have served as a powerful symbol of unity against Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, especially as President Biden pushes for approval of a $60 billion military and financial aid package for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.
Ukraine has been vocal about its urgent need for American military aid to bolster its defense against Russian aggression. While Kyiv has typically been proactive in sending representatives to international events to garner support for the nation, Mrs. Zelenska’s decision not to attend the speech marks a departure from this trend.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mrs. Zelenska have been actively engaging with world leaders since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, but recent efforts to secure aid from the United States have not yielded significant results. Despite meetings with President Biden and members of Congress, President Zelensky returned from Washington in December without the desired aid package.
The absence of Mrs. Zelenska and Mrs. Navalnaya at the State of the Union address highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine in its efforts to secure support and assistance in the face of conflict.
