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Russian athletes Alexander Ovechkin and Andrey Rublev call for ‘no more war’ in first comments on crisis in Ukraine

  • ‘I hope it’s going to end soon and it’s going to be peace in both countries,’ Russian NHL star Ovechkin said
  • Fellow Russian Andrey Rublev wrote ‘No War Please’ on a TV camera moments after advancing to the final at the Dubai Championships

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Russian-born NHL star Alex Ovechkin said he hoped there soon would be peace amid his country’s invasion of Ukraine. Photo: AFP
Tribune News Service

Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin asked for “no more war” while speaking with reporters on Friday.

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The comments were the first public ones from the Russian winger on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ovechkin has previously publicly supported Vladimir Putin. When asked if he still supported the Russian invasion, the Capitals winger responded by saying it was out of his control, but he hoped it would end in peace.

“I’m Russian, right? Sometimes something I can’t control. It’s not in my hands. How I say, I hope it’s going to end soon and it’s going to be peace in both countries. I don’t control this one.”

Regarding his support of Putin, Ovechkin said “well, he’s my president but … I’m not in politics, I’m an athlete. How I said, I hope everything is gonna be done soon. It’s sad situation right now for both sides … I hope everything is gonna be done soon. … And I’m not control this situation.”

It came as tennis player and fellow Russian Andrey Rublev wrote “No War Please” on a TV camera moments after advancing to the final at the Dubai Championships on Friday.

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