PFor Okean leader Elzy (or simply OE), who in 2015 broke the attendance record at a concert in Ukraine, dragging 75,000 people to the Kiev Olympic Stadium to mark the 20th anniversary of the folk and rock fusion band, which has been running since February 24 , the day of the Russian invasion, “it’s very simple”: Russia has been at war with Ukraine and the reason for this is Ukraine’s existence as a state. “Russia doesn’t want this state to exist,” Vakarchuk told Lusa, next to the headquarters of the Lviv-Oblast regional government, now protected with sandbags, the same day he signed up to join the Territorial Defense Force.

In addition to responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s mobilization orders, it only took the singer a few days to verify that Russia “commits crimes against humanity, kills women and children, destroys cities in the east, and at any time they can be here in Lviv.” [oeste do país e sem registo de ataques]so it is necessary to stop them”.

Satisfied with “more than adequate spiritual support” from around the world, with the exception of a few countries, as well as with “hard sanctions” against Russia, the musician believes that more support is needed at the military-political level, and from NATO in concrete.

“We need more planes. NATO eastern members, EU member states can provide them. Even Portugal can politically contribute to creating opportunities to do so”, he stated, pointing out, however, that the “most important and significant” action would be to seal off the territory. air across Ukraine.

“If we do, we win this war very quickly, if not, who knows what could have happened. Today it is Ukraine, tomorrow it will be another European country.”warned, in historical visions going back to 1939, the year that World War II broke out.

At the time, he points out, many said that “Hitler did the wrong thing, committed crimes against humanity”, but, on the other hand, they thought: “Okay, if we try to stop him, we’ll be in trouble, let’s see what happens.” occur”.

And that’s precisely what he claims is at stake now, as world leaders are softening hostility towards Moscow for fear of the conflict spreading to NATO countries: “If it happened in 1938, I can’t believe it.” [a partir do ano seguinte] tens of millions have died. So it’s better to act now.”

Born 46 years ago in Mukachevo, western Ukraine, the son of a Physics professor at Lviv University and former Minister of Education and Science, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, who is also a PhD in Physics, is a figure who surpassed the success of OE and his stadium tours in the US, Canada and A now-adversary Russia (where it has refused to act since the annexation of Crimea in 2014), and which has used its popularity in decisive moments in Ukraine, such as the Orange Revolution, between 2004 and 2005, or the Euromaidan protests, between 2013 and 2014.

He continued his activism for approaches to Europe, denounced Russian authoritarianism and corruption in his country and also starred in singular moments, such as winning the top prize in the “Who wants to be a millionaire” contest, the equivalent of 30 thousand euros. which he donated to an orphanage.

His fame and charisma put him on a political path, alongside another star, comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, who was considered president. But in the 2019 election, he ended up not choosing or supporting any of the candidates. Instead, he founded the liberal Holos (Voice) party, and was later elected to parliament — only he didn’t stay there for long. “I created a party aimed at young people and liberal people, we managed to elect representatives, they were in parliament and I went to do my job again”, he told Lusa.

Now that Ukraine is at war, one celebrity sees another as the right person at the right time: “We all support him. First of all, he’s not president, he’s a commander-in-chief.”

And if the commander’s orders were for all men aged 18 to 60 to join the Army in defending the homeland, he didn’t want to be an exception.

“I’m a citizen fighting enemies, and if my superpowers can inspire, that’s what I do.”

Even without realizing it, he was there to inspire the protesters who gathered on February 28 in Lisbon, next to the Ukrainian Embassy, ​​when Portuguese musician Salvador Sobral sang “Abraçar”, by Okean Elzy.

Svyatoslav Vakarchuk last worked in Portugal in 2017 and, at that time, left a short message on Twitter — “Obrigado Lisboa” — which grew bigger and more intense when he learned of the wave of solidarity generated since the start of the war: “Thank you very much for your support”.

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