Volodymyr Zelenskiy urges Glastonbury crowd to help end war in Ukraine | Glastonbury 2022

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Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged the crowd at Glastonbury to put pressure on politicians to end the war in Ukraine.

Addressing festivalgoers in a video message, which was played on screens at the Other Stage on Friday morning, the Ukrainian president called Glastonbury “the greatest concentration of freedom” in the world.

Greetings Glastonbury. The festival resumes this year after a two-year break, the pandemic has put on hold lives of the millions of people around the world, but has not broken,” he said to cheers.

“We in Ukraine would also like to live the life as we used to and enjoy freedom and this wonderful summer. But we cannot do that because the most terrible has happened – Russia has stolen our peace.”

Zelenskiy said Ukraine would “not let Russia’s war break us”, adding that he wanted to stop the war before it ruined people’s lives in other countries of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

“They are all under threat now. That is why I turn to you for support, Glastonbury is the greatest concentration of freedom these days and I ask you to share this feeling with everyone whose freedom is under attack.

“Spread the truth about Russia’s war, help Ukrainians who are forced to flee their homes because of the war, find our United24 charity platform and put pressure on all the politicians you know to help restore peace in Ukraine.”

He added: “Time is priceless and every day is measured in human lives. The more people join us in defending freedom and truth, the sooner Russia’s war against Ukraine will end. Prove that freedom always wins! Slava Ukraine.”

The message was played before a stage-opening set by The Libertines. Later in their set, the band’s singer Pete Doherty started a chant of “Volodymyr Zelenskiy”, with the crowd joining in and cheering.

Kevin Cullen, who was in the crowd, said it was a “great start” to the weekend “because the festival is supporting Ukraine and there are signs of that all over the site. The conflict has been going on for a while now and we need to keep up the momentum of support.”

“It was really moving hearing him speak – a hard act to follow for The Libertines, for sure,” said James Howell. “It’s massively important that we keep thinking about Ukraine. Political action starts from the ground up.”

“His address was amazing – a hell of a lot of people will hear those words, so it was a good way of reminding the people of Britain that they never know what tomorrow holds. Facts matter,” said Sharon Hardwick.

Ellie Kermode added: “It’s so important that he spoke to the crowds today. It makes people appreciate being here. The solidarity is palpable here, but we need to do more.”

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This year’s festival – which marks the 50th anniversary of Glastonbury – is holding a number of events in solidarity with Ukraine, including a panel discussion on the Leftfield stage on Friday with the Guardian and Observer missions John Harris and Emma Graham-Harrison, who has reported from Ukraine in recent months.

Kalush Orchestra, the Ukrainian group that triumphed at the 2022 Eurovision song contest, will perform at the festival for their first UK concert, as will the country’s 2021 Eurovision entrants, Go_A – who came in fifth place (and were voted second in the public vote ).

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