Oleksandr Zinchenko Urges Russian Players to Raise Voices against ‘Nightmare’ War in Ukraine
During an interview with Piers Morgan, Oleksandr Zinchenko asks for the exclusion of ALL Russian and Belarussian athletes from top-level sport… as the Arsenal player declares he ‘would fight for Ukraine’.
In a recent interview, OIeksandr Zinchenko advocated for Russian and Belarussian sportsmen to be barred from competing at the highest levels of sport.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Arsenal star has utilized his platform to support his countrymen in need.
TONIGHT: Arsenal and Ukraine star Oleksandr Zinchenko calls for all Russian and Belarusian athletes to be banned from top level sport, including Wimbledon.
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) June 14, 2023
Watch more of Piers Morgan's interview with him tonight at 8pm.@piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/RBnYSseYOe
And he followed that trend by speaking with TalkTV host Piers Morgan on his thoughts on the subject.
During their meeting, the two talked about a variety of issues, but Zinchenko started by recounting how he was ‘lost’ in the early weeks of the invasion.
‘I’ll be honest, adjusting to this was difficult. But, sadly, for all of us, football players playing overseas, being away from home and witnessing all of these terrifying events is not easy.I recall losing my mind for the first few of weeks. I had no idea where I was or where I was going… it was as if I were in space.’
Zinchenko stood as a beacon of support for Ukraine from within the Premier League in the weeks and months following Russia’s initial invasion.
The defender has shown his love for his nation by waving the Ukrainian flag in the air at the end of games and giving emotional statements.
While Zinchenko has stayed vocal, the defender has stated that he is dissatisfied with Russian and Belarussian athletes’ quiet.
When questioned by Morgan, the Arsenal defender acknowledged that he would not shake the hands of athletes from those countries and advocated for their exclusion from sports.
‘I will never accept their reaction,’ he said. I must be honest. ‘They didn’t do anything,’ you can say. They did, but they did not react.
‘They have millions of followers and opportunities to voice out. If you have 10 million Instagram followers and say ‘Stop It,’ some of those 10 million will spread the word. And it will eventually work. But don’t call us brothers if no one speaks up because they’re afraid. ‘I am one of the Ukrainians who dislikes seeing them at the best level in any sport. They should not be permitted to compete. Why? How many bombs and missiles have been despatched from Belarus?’.
The Arsenal star was then questioned if he would join the Ukrainian war if requested. ”There will come a time when everyone will be there,” he added. It’ll be the last call or anything like that.
‘It will be a phone call. We all go there, all of us. Everyone will leave. Without a doubt. At the same time, I’m considering how I may be of greater assistance from where I am right now.
Oleksandr Zinchenko on fighting for his country Ukraine: “There will be a time everyone will be there. It will be the last call. All of us will go, everyone will go. Today, I’m much more helpful from here, but you never know what’s going to happen.” #afc pic.twitter.com/vvvAHCT7SQ
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) June 14, 2023
‘However, you never know what will happen. How many people have died as a result of this invasion? I don’t see myself hiding away.’
The defender also took the opportunity to send a message to the rest of the globe, while Ukraine fights Russia.
‘While I have this opportunity to speak with you, I’d like to relay another message to the rest of the globe. I am aware that some people suffer from weariness.
‘However, why? It is critical to keep going, to keep pushing, to be together, to stick together in order to defeat the terrorist onslaught.’
The defender also just returned to Ukraine and spoke with Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel about his experience.
