Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared in a pre-recorded speech at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, bringing an air of reality to a room full of people dressed in their fanciest attire.
“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos,” he said. “They sing to the wounded. In hospitals.”
He called on the celebrities to support Ukraine by raising awareness of the atrocities his country has faced since Russia invaded a little over a month ago, “Tell the truth about war. On your social networks. On TV. Support us in any way you can. Any. But not silence.”
“And then peace will come. To all our cities the war is destroying,” he added. “Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Volnovakha, Mariupol and others. They are legends already. But I have a dream of them living. And free. Free like you on the Grammy stage.”
John Legend performed his new song “Free” along with Ukrainian performers Lyuba Yakimchuck, Siuzanna Iglidan, Mika Newton and a choir following President Zelensky’s video address.
“The war—what is more opposite of music?” Zelensky asked. “The silence of ruined cities and killed people.”
