Even though President Barak Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have made progress since the September handshake fiasco, President Obama and Vice President Biden are making a definitive statement against Russia’s human rights policies with their refusal to attend the Sochi Olympics. 

"President Obama is extremely proud of our U.S. athletes and looks forward to cheering them on from Washington," announced the White House on Tuesday. "He knows they will showcase to the world the best of America—diversity, determination and teamwork."

In place of the U.S. leaders, Former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and two openly gay athletes, tennis player Billie Jean King and ice hockey player Caitlin Cahow will lead the U.S. Olympians. With neither of the Obamas nor the Bidens in attendance, this will be the first time that the American Olympic delegation did not send a president, vice president, or first lady since Sydney's Summer Games in 2000. 

German President Joachim Gauck and French President Francois Hollande also announced that they will not be attending the Games—presumably because of similar dissatisfaction with Russian anti-LGBT policies.

Yet, Russia may be saving some face in the international sphere of human rights thanks to a recent vote approving an amnesty law that may lead to the release of 30 jailed Greenpeace activists and two jailed members of the punk protest band Pussy Riot. 

Russia’s State Duma, its lower houses of parliament, unanimously voted to approve the amnesty bill, which will extend mainly to first-time offenders, minors and women. According to Russia’s human rights ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin, the pardon will extend to 20,000 to 22,000 people. 

The new law helps mark the 20th anniversary of Russia’s constitution, and may be a sign of more reforms to come in Russia’s future. 

Contact Executive Producer Sara Newman here and follow her on Twitter.