Grammys 2022: Zelensky Makes Appearance, Urges Musicians To 'Fill The Silence' Left By Russian Bombs

The 64th Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday saw Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing the audience via a video message.

As Ukraine continues to fight against Russian troops who first invaded on Feb. 24, Zelensky delivered a message of hope, reported ABC News. He asked what is more opposite of music? and then said that the "silence of ruined cities and killed people." He added that Ukrainian children draw "swooping rockets and not shooting stars." He shared that more than 400 children in Ukraine have been injured and "153 children died, and we'll never see them drawing."

He said that Ukrainian parents are "happy to wake up in the morning in bomb shelters, but alive." He added that their "loved ones don't know if we will be together again," and that the "war doesn't let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence."

He noted that musicians in Ukraine wear body armor instead of tuxedos, and sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who can't hear them. He said that the "music will break through anyway," and "we defend our freedom."

He shared that Ukrainians are "fighting Russia, which brings horrible silence with its bombs." He called it the "dead silence," and urged the audience to "fill the silence with your music!" He used the platform for musicians to tell the truth about "this war on your social networks, on TV," and asked people to support Ukrainians in any way they can. Zelensky concluded by saying that he hoped his countrymen and women could soon "be free like the people on the Grammy stage."

The pre-taped message was followed by a performance by singer John Legend. He sang his new song titled "Free." The American singer was joined on-stage by Ukrainian musicians Suzanna Iglidan and Mika Newton. A poem was also read by their compatriot Lyuba Yakimchuk, who recently fled the country, reported BBC.

As Legend sang, images of those affected by the Ukraine-Russia conflict played out on screens behind him. Viewers were given the details of a charity helping Ukrainian refugees towards the end of the track.

Many Ukrainian DJs, musicians and producers have joined the fight against Russia since the conflict started.