Oleksandr Usyk pleads for 'no war' after Ukraine is invaded by Russia
- Joe Hewlett
- 26 February 2022
Oleksandr Usyk has arrived back in Ukraine and is praying for peace and unity between his native and Russia.
World heavyweight titlist Oleksandr Usyk has expressed his feelings about Russia's invasion as he returned to Ukraine and said two words - 'no war'.
The WBA, IBF and WBO champion was in England earlier this week doing some media work ahead of his summer showdown with Anthony Joshua.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Thursday and by Friday, they were reportedly on the outskirts of Ukraine's capital city Kiev - the same city Vitali Klitschko is the mayor of.
Usyk - who is one of many famous world champions from Ukraine - posted a video on Instagram and said 'no war'.
Fellow natives Vitali Klitschko and Wladimir Klitschko have also spoken since Russia's actions and announced they will take up arms to fight the Russian invasion.
"I don't have another choice, I have to do that. I'll be fighting," Vitali Klitschko said.
"I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people," he added.
"The Ukrainian people are strong. And it will remain true to itself in this terrible ordeal. A people longing for sovereignty and peace. A people who consider the Russian people their brothers," Wladimir Klitschko wrote in a post on LinkedIn on Thursday.
"It knows that they basically do not want this war. The Ukrainian people have chosen democracy.
"But: Democracy is a fragile regime. Democracy cannot defend itself; it needs the will of the citizens, the commitment of everyone. Basically, there is no democracy without democrats."
