The White House extended an invitation to Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, to attend the State of the Union address as guests of President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. However, Navalnaya is unable to attend, according to two White House officials.
President Biden had the opportunity to meet with Navalnaya and her daughter Dasha Navalnaya in San Francisco last month. This meeting took place in the aftermath of Navalny's tragic death while in Russian custody.
Biden has been vocal in his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Navalny's death. The President used this moment to highlight a difference in approach compared to former President Donald Trump, who had refrained from condemning Putin following the passing of the prominent opposition figure.
