Alex Ovechkin says he's 'for peace and love' after appearing in ad for Putin-aligned party

Alex Ovechkin says he's "for peace and love" after the Russian hockey star appeared in an ad for a party aligned with President Vladimir Putin during the off-season.

The video for the United Russia party came to light this week, days before Ovechkin's Washington Capitals held their annual media day Thursday. The NHL's career goal-scoring leader is back with the Capitals for a 22nd season.

Ovechkin is seen in the commercial standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Longtime Soviet hockey star Viacheslav Fetisov also participated.

"I'm Russian, and I support my country," Ovechkin said Thursday from Arlington, Va. "I'm for peace and love, and I hope in the world it doesn't matter who you are, I hope everybody understands everybody wants peace, and everybody hope everything's going to be OK in the world."

Ovechkin said he did not hesitate to participate in the ad.

"They asked me to do that. I say yes," he said. "So, it's as simple as that."

Ovechkin previously voiced support for the Russian president in 2017 when he started a social movement called the "Putin Team."

At the time, he told reporters from the AP and The Washington Post, "I just support my country."

Ovechkin appears in Putin campaign ad. NHL says nothing

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Ovechkin said, "Please, no more war," when asked about the situation. Asked then about his relationship with Putin, Ovechkin said: "He's my president, but I'm not in politics. I'm an athlete."

Russia's parliamentary election this week features United Russia, plus nine others that all support Putin's policies. The only party that opposed the war in Ukraine has been barred from the ballot.

A look at Ovechkin's close ties to Putin

Ovechkin