Legendary actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, released a powerful video slamming the Kremlin for its Ukraine offensive, which has brought the European country to standstill, with civilians coming under attack every day, many taking refuge in bomb shelters and tens of thousands of people forced out of their homes.
“I love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth,” Schwarzenegger said in his video, which has garnered over 20 million views on Twitter by the time this report was being published.
Calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the “senseless war”, the Republican politician said that the Kremlin has lied “not only to its people but also to its soldiers”.
The veteran actor also heaped praises on Russians protesting against the war at the risk of getting arrested and called them his “new heroes”. Targeting Putin, he said: “You started this war. You are leading this war. You can stop this war.”
In an emotional message for the people and soldiers of Russia, the hollywood superstar said: “I’m speaking to you today because there are things going on in the world that are being kept from you, terrible things that you should know about… Ukraine did not start this war.”
I love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth. Please watch and share. pic.twitter.com/6gyVRhgpFV
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 17, 2022
“When I see babies being pulled out of rubble, I think that I am watching the horrors of the second world war, not the news of today,” the actor said, while insisting that people have been told lies for what has been called ‘a special military operation by Russia’. “The strength and the heart of the Russian people have always inspired me. That is why I hope that you will let me tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine. I know that your government has told you that this is a war to ‘de-Nazify’ Ukraine. This is not true. Those in power in the Kremlin started this war,” Schwarzenegger said.
Recalling that his father Gustav Schwarzenegger sustained wounds while fighting for Nazis in Russia during the Second World War, he said: “He was broken physically and mentally and lived the rest of his life in pain. To the Russian troops listening to this broadcast… I don’t want you to be broken like my father,” the former California governor is heard saying. “This is not the war to defend Russia that your grandfathers or your great-grandfathers fought. This is an illegal war. Your lives, your limbs, your futures have been sacrificed for a senseless war condemned by the entire world.”
Schwarzenegger, on Russia being isolated by the world, said: “The world has turned against Russia because of its actions in Ukraine — whole city blocks have been flattened by Russian artillery and bombs, including a children’s hospital and a maternity hospital.”
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