en.killbait.com
Canadian Ministers Condemn NHL Star Alex Ovechkin for Supporting Putin Regime in Ad
Canadian federal ministers have publicly criticized NHL hockey star Alex Ovechkin for appearing in a pro-Putin advertisement supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin's political party, United Russia. Justice Minister Sean Fraser described Ovechkin as a 'terrific hockey player, terrible view of geopolitics' during a press briefing, emphasizing that supporting Putin's regime while atrocities are committed in Ukraine is unacceptable. The advertisement, which aired earlier this month, featured Ovechkin standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who made threatening remarks toward Western nations opposing Russia. Ovechkin defended his participation, stating he is 'pro-Russia' and 'for peace and love,' while also declaring his intention to return to Russia after his hockey career. The Canadian government has consistently condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its occupation of Crimea, imposing sanctions on numerous individuals and entities linked to Putin's regime. While Fraser stated that Ovechkin's position should be widely condemned, he declined to comment on whether the player should face sanctions while playing in Canada, leaving such decisions to 'the formal process.' Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed discomfort with mixing sports and politics, noting that Ovechkin's actions have caused significant unease among Canadian hockey fans, particularly in areas with large Ukrainian communities. Liberal caucus chair James Maloney acknowledged the 'significant unease' in his Toronto riding of Etobicoke, home to one of Canada's largest Ukrainian populations, but emphasized that sanctioning decisions are not within his purview. The NHL has avoided commenting on the controversy, stating it would leave such matters to Ovechkin's team. Ovechkin has a long-standing relationship with Putin, having launched a 'Putin Team' social movement in 2017 to support him ahead of the 2018 presidential election. Despite his claims of supporting peace, his recent ad has drawn sharp criticism from Canadian officials who view his stance as incompatible with Canadian values and support for Ukraine. The controversy highlights the growing tension between sports figures and geopolitical conflicts, particularly as Canada remains a strong supporter of Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.