Ovechkin Says He Supports Russia but Is 'Not Pro-War'
At Capitals media day Thursday, the NHL's career goals leader said he agreed to appear in a United Russia campaign video without hesitation and was surprised by the backlash.
Alex Ovechkin spoke publicly Thursday about his appearance in a campaign video for Vladimir Putin's United Russia party, telling ESPN he accepted the government's request without hesitation, was surprised by the reaction and stands behind his country while insisting he is "not pro-war."
"I want the peace and love for everybody," Ovechkin told ESPN. "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 and we have peace and love in the world."
Asked about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Capitals captain said, "I'm not in politics. I can't say who's right and who's wrong," adding that he would support his country regardless. He said he filmed the ad three weeks ago and did not tell Washington he planned to take part before signing a one-year extension in July.
In the spot, which aired in Russia earlier this month, Ovechkin stands behind Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as Lavrov warns anyone who comes at Russia "with a sword" to "expect no mercy: we will rise together, as we do today." The series features more than 30 Putin supporters, among them Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official for whom the International Criminal Court issued a 2023 arrest warrant over alleged war crimes involving the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., wrote to the NHL this week urging the league to consider banning Ovechkin. "While Mr. Ovechkin has every right to hold personal political views, actively participating in campaign material for Putin's oppressive party while serving as the captain of an NHL franchise in our nation's capital raises serious questions about the standards expected of players," Wilson wrote. The league did not respond to ESPN's requests for comment.
The Capitals declined to answer questions about the video, saying earlier in the week that Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow in the offseason and that the club is focused on the season ahead.
Coach Spencer Carbery, speaking at media day, said the criticism would not change Ovechkin's standing with the team. "I haven't seen the video or whatever, but I know this: He's done an amazing job in my time here," Carbery said. "Him being our captain, the relationship I have with him as a coach here, it doesn't affect that."
Ovechkin answered reporters' questions about the video in a quiet voice before saying, "OK, let's do hockey questions."
