The President of Ukraine brought a touching moment to the 64th annual Grammy Awards, Sunday, April 3rd. President Volodymyr Zelensky offered a speech that began, “The war. What’s more opposite than music… The silence of ruined cities and killed people. Our children drew swooping rockets, not shooting stars,” he stated.

He continued by emphasizing, “Over 400 children have been injured and 153 children died. And we will never see them drawing.”

President Zelensky has been open about getting international support for his country since it was invaded by Russian military forces in February 2022. He linked that to the music industry’s ‘biggest night’ by saying, “The war doesn’t let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence. Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos,” he said.”They sing to the wounded. In hospitals.” 

He added that “the music will break through anyway” and spoke of Ukraine defending its freedom “To live. To love. To sound.”

President Zelensky encouraged those listening to “tell the truth about war. On your social networks. On TV. Support us in any way you can. Any. But not silence… And then peace will come. To all our cities the war is destroying.” he said. “Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Volnovakha, Mariupol, and others. They are legends already. But I have a dream of them living. And free. Free like you on the Grammy stage.”

President Zelensky’s speech was followed by a performance of “Free” by singer John Legend, who was joined by Ukrainian artists Mika Newton, Lyuba Yakimchuk, and Siuzanna Igidan.