Grammy Awards 2022: 'Support us in any way you can, any, but not silence,' says Ukraine President in video appearance

New Delhi: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday (April 4, 2022) appeared in a video aired at the Grammy Awards 2022 and appealed to viewers to support Ukrainians "in any way you can."

"What is more opposite to music? The silence of ruined cities and killed people," said Zelenskiy in the video that was aired ahead of a performance by American singer-songwriter John Legend and Ukrainian poet Lyuba Yakimchuck.

"Fill the silence with your music. Fill it today, to tell our story. Support us in any way you can. Any, but not silence," he added as Russia's invasion of his country entered day 40. 

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy appeals for support during Grammy Awards via video pic.twitter.com/vMyhnem8yh — Reuters Showbiz (@ReutersShowbiz) April 4, 2022

We’re honored to welcome Ukrainian musicians #SiuzannaIglidan, @Mika_Newton, and poet #LyubaYakimchuk to the #GRAMMYs.

Our hearts and our stage hold a special place for the people of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/CFV1bcR4hN — Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) April 4, 2022

During the message, Zelenskiy also likened the invasion to a deadly silence threatening to extinguish the dreams and lives of the Ukrainian people, including children.

"Our musicians wear body armour instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who can't hear them," he said.

"But the music will break through anyway," Zelenskiy said.

It is notable that the war broke out in Ukraine over a month ago after Vladimir Putin's military forces invaded areas in the country`s east, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians and reducing several cities to rubble.

Meanwhile, bodies with bound hands, close-range gunshot wounds and signs of torture lay scattered in a city on the outskirts of Kyiv after Russian soldiers withdrew from the area. Ukrainian authorities accused the departing forces on Monday of committing war crimes and leaving behind a 'scene from a horror movie'.

Ukrainian officials said the bodies of 410 civilians were found in Kyiv-area towns that were recently retaken from Russian forces.

(With agency inputs)