Alex Ovechkin on appearing in Putin campaign video: I support my country

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin stood by his participation in a video for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s political party, and said he will live in his home country, Russia, when he is done playing.“I want the peace and love for everybody,” Ovechkin told ESPN Thursday during Washington’s media day at their training facility.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, American, Russian or Ukrainian.I hope everything’s gonna be good and everything’s gonna be done soon.” When asked about Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin said: “I’m not in politics.

I can’t say who’s right and who’s wrong.” Ovechkin, who said he is not “not pro-war,” explained that he only supports “what’s happening in Russia” and he hopes the war will “be done soon.” The 41-year-old appeared among other Russian celebrities in a video in support of United Russia, a group backing the regime of Putin.In the campaign video, Ovechkin stands with supporters of Putin’s United Russia political party as Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov delivers a monologue warning anyone who comes at Russia “with a sword” to “expect no mercy: we will rise together, as we do today,” according to ESPN.Ovechkin told the outlet that he filmed the ad three weeks ago — and did not inform the Capitals that he was doing so before signing a one-year extension in July.“The thing about video: I’m Russian,” Ovechkin told reporters on Thursday.

“As soon as I’m done playing hockey, I’m probably going to stay there.I’m going to live there.

My kids are going to be there, family.So I’m full of peace and love, and I hope everything’s going to be OK.”Ovechkin shut down questions about the ad when a reporter asked why he participated in it.

“As I said, I’m Russian and I support my country,” Ovechkin said.“So as I said, I’m for peace and love, and I hope, in the world, it doesn’t matter who you are.

I hope everybody understands everybody...