Alex Ovechkin says he supports Russia but is 'not pro-war' - ESPN

NHL career goal-scoring leader Alex Ovechkin on Thursday addressed his appearance in a video for Russian President Vladimir Putin's political party, saying he accepted the government's request without hesitation, was surprised by the backlash and supports his native country while reiterating previous comments that he «is for peace and love.»

«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 how he would explain his decision to participate in the advertisement, in which Russia's foreign minister delivered a message closely aligned with propaganda blaming Ukrainians for the invasion of their country, Ovechkin replied that he was «not pro-war.» He only supports «what's happening in Russia» and hopes the war will «be done soon,» he said.

Of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin said: «I'm not in politics. I can't say who's right and who's wrong.» He added that he would support his country no matter what.

Ovechkin, 41, told ESPN that he filmed the ad three weeks ago and did not tell the Washington Capitals that he planned to participate in the campaign video before signing a one-year extension in July.

Before speaking with ESPN, Ovechkin answered questions from reporters about the video in a quiet, subdued voice before declaring, «OK, let's do hockey questions.»

In the campaign video that aired in Russia earlier this month, Ovechkin stands with supporters of Putin's United Russia political party as Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov delivers a monologue warning anyone who comes at Russia «with a sword» to «expect no mercy: we