Wladimir Klitschko in video from Ukraine: “I am speaking to the whole world to stop this war that Russia has started”
By: Sean Crose
Standing in front of an unremarkable brick wall, former heavyweight weightlifter Wladimir Klitschko in general addressed today’s world with unusual intensity. “I am speaking to the whole world to stop this war that Russia has started,” he said, looking into the camera. “Just today, civilians were shot by rockets during special operations, civilians were killed.” He then points to the fact that disturbing news doesn’t happen in a vacuum. “And it is happening,” he continued, “in the heart of Europe.”
With the Ukrainian capital of Kiev now under attack by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces, the legendary former heavyweight boxer spoke poignantly about the urgency. “There is no time to wait,” emphasized Klitschko, “because it would lead to a human catastrophe.” Finally, he called on the world to act. “You need to act now,” he said, “to deter Russian aggression with whatever you can now.” The 45-year-old father of one then closed with a stark warning. “In an hour,” he said, “or tomorrow it will be too late. Please, start taking action now. Do not wait. To act. Let’s stop this war.”
Once the most dominant boxer in the heavyweight division, Klitschko and his brother, Kiev mayor Vitali (who was also a heavyweight) decided to take the lead against the Russian forces that began their invasion of Ukraine with extremely large scale and aggressive. yesterday. This is remarkable, as each man is apparently rich enough to escape the carnage and seek refuge elsewhere. By deciding to stay, Klitschko made himself a ripe target for the Russian military. However, neither of them are known to avoid a fight, either in the ring or in the political world. With losing to Kiev now a very real and alarming possibility, Klitschko has no interest in avoiding a fight now.
