Capitals captain says he is ‘not pro-war’ after appearing in Russian campaign ad
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Ovechkin has long supported Putin and his regime. (Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin has defended his appearance in a campaign video for United Russia, the ruling Russian party backed by President Vladimir Putin, saying he is “not pro-war” but supports his country.
Ovechkin addressed the controversy during the Capitals’ media day on Sept. 17, days before Russia’s Sept. 18-20 parliamentary election.
“I want peace and love for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you are American, Russian or Ukrainian,” Ovechkin said. “I hope everything will be OK and that everything will end soon.”
The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer said he was surprised by the reaction to the video but stood by his decision to participate.
“I’m Russian. I’m going to live there when I finish my career. My kids will live there. My family will live there, you understand?” Ovechkin said. “I support my country. That’s it.”
Ovechkin said he did not hesitate when asked to appear in the United Russia campaign video.
“They asked me to do that. I said yes. So, simple as that,” he said.
The video also features Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other prominent Russian figures. Ovechkin appears standing behind Lavrov as the foreign minister delivers lines promoting United Russia ahead of the parliamentary election.
Asked about Lavrov’s rhetoric in the video and whether his participation represented support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, Ovechkin rejected that interpretation.
“I don’t think it’s supporting the war,” he said. “It’s supporting what is happening in Russia.”
Ovechkin also reiterated that he considers himself outside politics.
“I will support my country no matter what,” he said. “I’m not in politics. I can’t say who is right and who is wrong.”
Ovechkin said the video was filmed several weeks ago. He did not consult the Capitals before participating, according to team management.
The 41-year-old has played for Washington since 2005 and is entering his 22nd NHL season.
His appearance in the political advertisement has drawn criticism in the United States and Europe.
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, wrote to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman asking the league to review Ovechkin’s participation and clarify its policies governing active players appearing in political advertising for foreign parties.
The NHL has not announced disciplinary action against Ovechkin.
The Capitals have said Ovechkin was asked to participate in the campaign while spending the offseason in Russia. General manager Chris Patrick described the situation as difficult and said he understood why people were upset.
Ovechkin has longstanding public ties to Putin.
In 2017, he launched Putin Team, a movement supporting Putin ahead of Russia’s 2018 presidential election.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ovechkin called for peace but declined to condemn Putin.
“He is my president,” Ovechkin said at the time, while adding that he was “not in politics.”
Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer and helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018.
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