Capitals star Alex Ovechkin says he supports Russia but is ‘for peace and love’

NHL star Alex Ovechkin spoke out Thursday about the backlash he is facing for appearing in a campaign advertisement promoting Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.

“I’m Russian. As soon as I’m done playing hockey … I’m going to live there, my kids are going to live there,” Ovechkin told reporters . “I’m for peace and love, and I hope everything is going to be OK. My home is Russia; this [America] is my second home. I have lots of friends, I grew up here as a person. … I hope everything is going to be OK, and I would say peace and love.”

The Washington Capitals star appeared in a campaign ad for Putin, who has been widely condemned by the international community for crimes against humanity and his ongoing war against Ukraine.

The NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, Ovechkin has maintained a close relationship with the Russian leader for years and founded a social movement in Russia supporting him in 2017.

His appearance in an ad promoting Putin sparked widespread backlash this week, including from Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who wrote to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman calling for the league to clarify its policies on active players participating in political campaigns overseas.

ESPN journalist Robert Klemko reported he spoke with the Capitals winger after Thursday’s media availability, during which Ovechkin told him he filmed the ad about three weeks ago.

“Well, I don’t think it’s a pro war,” he told Klemko of the ad. “I think it’s just support what’s happening in Russia. I want the peace and love for everybody. It doesn’t matter who you are, American, Russian or Ukrainian. Like, I have lots of friends who are Ukrainians, and I hope everything’s going to be good, and everything’s going to be done soon.”

Putin has a history of cracking down on prominent political opponents and dissidents in sports, arts and entertainment.

Russian elections are slated to be held this weekend, and the Capitals play their first preseason game Sunday.