Ministry of Foreign Affairs responds to Jared Leto calling Russia's war against Ukraine "problems"
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Jared Leto, an American singer and actor who leads the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, referred to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine as "these problems" while performing at a concert in Serbia. He also expressed his interest in performing in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was outraged by his statements.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that.
At a concert in Serbia, where many Russians were present, the singer's words about the "feeling of Russian energy" were deemed offensive to Ukraine's defenders.
"There can be no appeasement for Russia when it continues its attempts to solve "problem" of Ukraine's very existence," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.
During a concert on October 11 in Belgrade's Serbian capital, Leto asked how many Serbs and Russians were in the hall.
Leto mentioned that he "felt a lot of Russian energy around" and expressed his longing for Russians. Speaking about the war in Ukraine, Leto gestured with his hand.
Photo: Rune Hellestad/Corbis Spektrum Arena on October 9, 2024 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Rune Hellestad – Corbis/Redferns)
"I miss you guys, you know that. I will tell you that one day when all these problems are finished, we will meet you in your homeland. You know, we will go back to Serbia. We are going to go to St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Kyiv. We'll have parties and hang out with everyone, okay? That's how it should be," Leto said.
⚡️ Jared Leto is facing backlash after referring to Russia's war against Ukraine as "these problems" and expressing a desire to perform in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Many online have called his comments tone-deaf. pic.twitter.com/atMSs8w0Ig
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) October 12, 2024
His statements sparked criticism, particularly from Ukrainian social media users. He was accused of downplaying the war by using the word "problems," and it was also pointed out that he condones Russian aggression towards Ukraine.
It should be noted that Jared Leto supported Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In March 2022, he held a live broadcast on his official Instagram page and talked to Ukrainians to inform the world about what was happening in Ukraine.
For reference:
30 Seconds to Mars, an alternative art rock band from Los Angeles, was formed in 1998 by siblings Jared and Shannon Leto.
Jared Leto is an American actor and musician known for his roles in films such as "Requiem for a Dream," "American Psycho," "Interrupted Life," "Dallas Buyers Club," and "Suicide Squad."
In 2014, Leto won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film Dallas Buyers Club.
It should be noted that the American actor and producer Michael Douglas and his son Dylan recently visited Kyiv and shared their impressions of the trip and communication with Ukrainians.
