Los Angeles, United States (AFP). The EX star of the film “Terminator”, Arnold Schwarzenegger has called on Vladimir Putin to stop the “trivial” war in Ukraine and praised the Russian people for protesting against the conflict, saying they are new heroes.
“Ukraine did not start this war,” the former California governor said in a sympathetic message to Russian citizens and soldiers sent on his Twitter account and other networks.
“I’m talking to you today (Thursday) because there are things going on in the world and that you are hiding, the bad things that you need to know,” he said in the 11-minute video, which contained Russian language.
The former Austrian-born weight-lifting champion whose film “Red Heat” was the first American to be shown in Red Square in Moscow, expressed his love for the Russian people and met a man who envied him by lifting objects. weight, Yuri Vlasov of Russia when he was 14 years old.
“The resilience and heart of the Russian people has always fascinated me,” he said. “That is why I hope you will allow me to tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine. I know your government has told you that this is a war to overthrow the Nazis in Ukraine. That is not true. The Kremlin people in power started this war. This is not a Russian war.”
Schwarzenegger said “the world has opposed Russia because of its actions in Ukraine – all city buildings have been bombed by Russian bombs, including children’s hospital and antenatal ward.
“Due to its brutality, Russia is now isolated from the Commonwealth,” he said.
In his plea to the Russian army, Schwarzenegger recalls the wounds his father suffered while fighting the Nazi forces during World War.
“He was physically and mentally broken and ended the rest of his life in agony,” he said. “To the Russian soldiers who are listening to this video … I do not want to you hurt like my father.
“This is not a war to protect Russia that your ancestors fought. This is an illegal war. Your life, your organs, your future has been sacrificed in a meaningless war condemned by the whole world.”
Speaking directly to Putin, Schwarzenegger said: “You started this war. You are leading this war. You can stop it.”
