Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady, declined an invitation from the White House to attend Thursday’s State of the Union address, forgoing one of Washington’s most dignified events and underscoring the complicated politics facing her war-torn country. The image of both women, each a symbol of resistance to Russian President Vladimir Putin, would offer a powerful backdrop to President Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress. AdvertisementZelenska’s office said Wednesday that the embassy in Washington did receive an invitation for the first lady to attend the State of the Union address. The president has been Ukraine’s chief advocate, but the government of Zelenska’s husband, President Volodymyr Zelensky, has sought to avoid further politicization of the war effort. In his remarks on Thursday, Biden is expected to urge House Republicans to pass Ukraine funding “as quickly as possible,” said a White House official.

Source: Washington Post March 06, 2024 18:14 UTC