Russian celebrities — together with athletes, actors, and Eurovision stars — have additionally publicly denounced the invasion, placing their careers at nice danger as a result of authorities’s heavy affect within the leisure trade. In an Instagram video, fashionable singer Valery Meladze pleaded for an finish to the invasion.

“Historical past would be the choose of those occasions,” Meladze stated. “However right this moment, I urge you, please cease the battle.”

On Wednesday, simply earlier than the invasion started, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a televised speech calling for peace and highlighting the shut ties between Russia and Ukraine.

“That is our land. That is our historical past. What are you preventing for and with whom?” Zelensky stated. “Lots of you have got been to Ukraine. Lots of you have got kinfolk in Ukraine. Some have studied in Ukrainian universities. Some have made mates with Ukrainians. You already know our character. You already know our individuals. You already know our ideas.”

Zelensky additionally instantly addressed the individuals of Russia, urging them to face with Ukraine and let their very own authorities know they do not need battle.

“I do know that my handle to you received’t be proven on Russian tv, however the residents of Russia ought to see it. They need to know the reality, and the reality is that this must cease earlier than it’s too late,” he stated. “And if the management of Russia doesn’t need to sit down on the desk with us for the sake of peace, perhaps they’ll sit down on the desk with you. Do Russians need battle? I want to reply that query, however the reply relies upon solely on you.”