Arnold Schwarzenegger blames Putin for the war in Ukraine 1:45
(CNN) --
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has made an impassioned appeal to the Russian people in a video posted on social media, asking them to resist disinformation from their country as the devastating invasion of Ukraine continues.
Schwarzenegger said he was "sending this message through a number of different channels" to Russian citizens and soldiers, and hoped his message about the atrocities committed by his government and military could get through.
The video posted on Twitter had more than 15 million views.
"Ukraine did not start this war. Neither the nationalists nor the Nazis," he said.
"Those in power in the Kremlin started this war."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and government officials have made false accusations of Ukraine as their motivations for the invasion, baselessly saying that the country must "de-Nazify" itself.
"There Are Terrible Things You Must Know"
"There are things that are happening in the world that are being hidden from you, terrible things that you need to know," Schwarzenegger said.
"I know that the Russian people are not aware that these things are happening, so I urge the Russian people and the Russian soldiers in Ukraine to understand the propaganda and disinformation that they are being told. I ask you to help me spread the word." truth".
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I love the Russian people.
That is why I have to tell you the truth.
Please watch and share.
pic.twitter.com/6gyVRhgpFV
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 17, 2022
He harshly criticized the Russian government for the invasion, saying that "they lied not only to their citizens but also to their soldiers" about the reasons behind the war.
Schwarzenegger also spoke fondly of his experiences visiting Russia during his film career, saying that his childhood hero was Russian weightlifter and Olympic gold medalist Yuri Vlasov.
Schwarzenegger said that he was 14 years old when he first met Vlasov.
The kindness of his idol inspired a young Schwarzenegger to keep a picture of him over his bed despite the objections of his father, an Austrian who fought for Nazi Germany during World War II.
Schwarzenegger included a message for Russians who publicly protest the war at great risk to personal freedom.
“The world has seen his bravery.
We know that they have suffered the consequences of their bravery,” she said.
"You are my new heroes. You have the strength of Yuri Petrovich Vlasov. You have the true heart of Russia."
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