Arnold Schwarzenegger , the Hollywood star and former governor of California, is speaking out amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The actor took to social media on Thursday …
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Hollywood star and former governor of California, is speaking out amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The actor took to social media on Thursday and shared a passionate nine-minute video in which he urged Russian citizens and military members, in particular, to hear « the truth. » The famed bodybuilder revealed he wanted to dispel information and urged for Russia’s government, military and citizens to end the ongoing violence. « The strength and the heart of the Russian people have always inspired me, » said the 74-year-old. « That is why I hope that you will let me tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine and what is happening there. No one likes to hear something critical of their government, I understand that. But as a longtime friend of the Russian people, I hope that you will hear what I have to say. » Schwarzenegger cited Yuri Petrovich Vlasov, a champion weightlifter from Russia as one of his childhood idols. He described how his father Gustav Schwarzenegger, a member of the Nazi party who served in World War II, became angry when he hung a picture of Vlasov in his room. « My father told me to take down the picture and to find a German or Austrian hero, » Schwarzenegger recalled. « But I did not take down the photograph, because it didn’t matter to me what flag Yuri Vlasov carried.
