‘Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos,’ Zelenskyy tells Grammys

HOUSTON, Texas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a guest appearance at the 64th annual Grammy Awards Sunday night in a pre-taped speech reportedly filmed within the last 48-hours.

“The war. What’s more opposite to music?” Zelenskyy asked in his opening remarks.

“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals. Even to those who can’t hear them. But the music will break through anyway,” he continued.

“We defend our freedom. To live. To love. To sound,” added Zelenskyy. “On our land, we are fighting Russia, which brings horrible silence with its bombs. The dead silence.”

To that silence, Zelenskyy went on to say, “Fill the silence with your music. Fill it today, to tell our story. Support us in any way you can. Any, but not silence. And then peace will come.”

The Ukrainian president ended his taped statement by naming several cities under siege in his country.

“I have a dream of them living, and free. Free like you on the Grammy stage,” said Zelenskyy, whose message was delivered before John Legend’s live performance of the song “Free.”

The Russian war against Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the European Union, US and UK among others implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,417 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 2,038 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4.1 million Ukrainians have also fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.