During the pre-recorded message aired on Sunday, he likened the invasion to a deadly silence that threatens to erase the dreams and lives of the Ukrainian people, including children.
“Our musicians wear armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who do not hear them,” he said in English. “But the music will leak anyway.”
Prior to the ceremony, the Recording Academy, in partnership with Global Citizen, launched a social media campaign called “Stand Up For Ukraine” to raise money and support during the humanitarian crisis.
“Fill the silence with your music. Fill it today to tell our story. Tell the truth about the war on your social networks, on TV, support us in any way you can, but no silence. And then peace will come. “In all our cities,” said Zelensky.
Following Zelenskyy’s message, John Legend performed his song “Free” with Ukrainian musicians Siuzanna Iglidan and Mika Newton and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk, as images from the war appeared on screens behind them.
The war in Ukraine had taken a particularly horrific turn on Sunday when Ukrainian forces entered the city of Bukha, which was recently held by Russian soldiers, and found the bodies of people who had been shot, some of whom had been tied up and tortured. Ukrainian authorities have accused the Russians of war crimes, and European leaders have called for tougher sanctions against Moscow. Russia says the atrocities were committed by Ukrainians.
