Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for support in a video message

The President of Ukraine made a special appearance at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

During the ceremony on Sunday night, Volodymyr Zelensky appeared in a pre-taped video message, appealing for international support in the ongoing Russian aggression.

Read more: President Volodymyr Zelensky video-chats with Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, thanking them for raising millions for Ukraine

The message also served as a part of the legendary performance of the song “Free” as part of a tribute to Ukraine.

Here is a pre-taped speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky # Grammy, The beginning of a performance for Ukraine from John Legend: “Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing for the wounded in the hospital.” https://t.co/rjX2S54hkr pic.twitter.com/43fcZTrjQK

– Variety (@ Variety) April 4, 2022

“War. What is the opposite of music? The silence of destroyed cities and the killing of people,” Zelensky said in the video. “Our children draw rockets, they do not shoot. “Our parents are happy to wake up in the morning in a bomb shelter, but alive. Our loved ones do not know if we will be together again. War does not allow us to choose who will survive and who will remain in perpetual silence.”

He continued, “Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing for the injured in the hospital. Even to those who do not hear. But the music will break anyway. We protect our freedom. To live. To love. To sound. On our soil, we are at war with Russia, which brings terrible silence with its bombs. Fill the silence with your music. Fill it out today. Tell us stories. Tell the truth about the war on your social networks and on TV. But not silence. ”

Read more: Amy Schumer prepares Ukrainian President Zelensky to attend Oscars

Zelensky was rumored to have appeared during the Grammys before the ceremony. He had hoped to appear at the Oscars earlier in the week, although that did not materialize.

We join forces with @GlblCtzn Per #StandUpForUkraine.

Please join us and donate: https://t.co/7u5wPsJCrs #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/n3lqHvyFHJ

– Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (ecRecordingAcad) April 4, 2022

On Twitter, the recording academy also announced that it had joined forces with Global Citizen to raise funds to help Ukrainians fleeing the violence.