Ovechkin After Appearing in Putin’s Party Ad: “I’m Russian, I Support My Country” — Says He’s “for Peace and Love”

Alex Ovechkin on Thursday addressed for the first time his appearance in an election ad for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, during Washington Capitals media day, which coincided with his 41st birthday: “I’m Russian and I support my country… I’m for peace and love.”

The campaign video surfaced this week, just days before Russia’s parliamentary elections on Sunday. In the ad, the hockey star appears behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov among some three dozen prominent Russian public figures, including Soviet hockey legend Viacheslav Fetisov. In the video, Lavrov declares that any nation that comes at Russia “with a sword” should expect “no mercy.”

Asked about the video, Ovechkin said he didn’t hesitate at all: “They asked me to do it. I said yes. It’s as simple as that,” adding: “I’m Russian and I support my country… I’m for peace and love and I hope everything will be fine in the world.”

Speaking to ESPN, the Capitals captain insisted he is “not pro-war”: “I want peace and love for everyone… it doesn’t matter who you are, American, Russian or Ukrainian. I hope everything will be fine and will end soon.”

It’s not the first time Ovechkin has shown his support for the Kremlin: in 2017 he launched the “Putin Team” movement backing the Russian president, while after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 he said “Please, no more war,” adding: “He’s my president, but I’m not into politics. I’m an athlete.” Ovechkin also confirmed that after retiring from hockey he will live in Russia.

This week’s parliamentary elections are being held in a race where United Russia and nine other parties — all backers of Putin’s policies — are the main forces, while the only party that opposed the war in Ukraine has been barred from the ballot.

Ovechkin’s appearance in the ad has sparked reactions: Czech hockey legend Dominik Hasek called the participation support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, while Capitals general manager Chris Patrick admitted it is a “difficult situation.” The club said Ovechkin was asked to take part in the video while he was home in Russia this summer.

Source: Reuters