Olena Zelenska refused to attend Biden's address to Congress this Thursday, where she was invited by the White House. The reason was that the president's wife was going to be seated next to Navalny's widow, Yulia. The Washington Post writes about this.

"According to officials familiar with the plan, the goal was to seat First Lady Jill Biden next to Zelenska and Yulia Navalnaya... The image of both women, each a symbol of resistance to Russian President Vladimir Putin, would provide a powerful backdrop for President Biden's speech," the publication reports.  

But Navalnaya's presence "caused discomfort among Ukrainians" because of her husband's words about the "Russian" status of Crimea, sources in Kyiv told the publication. 

A White House spokesperson said that Zelenska's decision was probably caused by "conflicts in the schedule." Moreover, according to the Washington Post, Navalnaya also refused to attend Biden's speech, citing fatigue.

As a result, neither Zelenska nor Navalnaya will be present at Biden's speech.

The publication names another possible reason for Zelensky's wife's refusal: unwillingness to spoil relations with Republicans who are blocking aid to Ukraine.  Zelenska's presence at the president's speech could look like "too close a connection with Biden."

"Ukraine does not want to offend the Republicans, who may control the White House next year depending on the results of the November elections," the article says.