Ovechkin Discusses Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine, Putin: ‘Please No More War’

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin spoke to the media on Friday to discuss Russia and the invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “hard situation” and hoping to see an end to the violence.

“Obviously, it’s hard situation. I have lots of friends in Russia and Ukraine and it’s hard to see the war,” Ovechkin said. “I hope soon it’s going to be over, and it’s going to be peace in the whole world.”

Back in 2017, Ovechkin voiced his support for President Vladimir Putin and started the social movement “Putin Team.” However, he explained that he cannot control what is happening right now in Russia, and has no say in Putin’s actions.

“I’m Russian, right? Something I can’t control, you know, it’s not in my hands,” Ovechkin said. “How I said, I hope it’s going to end soon, and it’s going to be peace in both countries. You know, I don’t control this one.”

“He’s my president. How I said, I’m not in politics, like, I’m an athlete,” Ovechkin said. “How I said, hope everything is going to be done soon. It’s hard situation right now for both sides, and everything how, I said, everything I hope is going to be end. I’m not control the situation.”

Ovechkin currently has family and friends in both countries, and his mom and dad, along with his wife, Nastya, and two sons, Sergei and Ilya, are in Russia. He did not go into detail about his family’s next moves.

“It’s hard. It’s hard situation. I have family back in Russia and it’s scary moments, but we can’t do anything. We just hope it’s going to be end soon and everything’s going to be alright,” Ovechkin said.

“Like how I said, my family over there. Of course [we] pay attention what’s happened out there. I don’t want to see nobody get hurt, nobody get killed. How I said, hope it’s going to be over, and we going to be living in good world.

“It’s hard question because it just happen a couple days ago. We’ll see what’s going to happen,” Ovechkin added.

To close his availability, Ovechkin voiced his opposition to war and violence.

“Please no more war. Doesn’t matter who’s in the war. Russia, Ukraine, different countries. I think we live in the world, like we have to live in peace and great world,” Ovechkin said.

Here is the full press conference:

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin media availability after practice in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/y2gxFpV3CL

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 25, 2022