Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin said Thursday that he stands behind Russia after appearing in a campaign video endorsing President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party before the country’s parliamentary elections.
“I’m Russian. I support my country.”
Ovechkin made the comment during the Capitals’ media day when asked why he participated in the video, which also included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov.
The longtime Capitals star said he expects to return to Russia and live there with his family once his NHL career is over, while continuing to view Washington, D.C., as his second home. Ovechkin said:
I’m Russian. As soon as I’m done playing hockey, I’m probably going to stay there. I’m going to live there; my kids are going to live there, family. I’m for peace and love. I hope everything’s going to be okay. My home is Russia; D.C. is my second home. I have lots of friends; I grew up here as a person, and I love D.C.; I’d say it’s my second home. I hope everything’s going to be okay, and peace and love for everybody.
The Capitals said Ovechkin was contacted about taking part in the video while he was in Russia during the NHL offseason.
“Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there following his retirement,” team spokesperson Sergey Kocharov said in a statement sent Tuesday to The Associated Press. “As the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, D.C., and a pillar of the community, his focus and ours is on the season ahead and the continued impact he makes on the ice and in our city.”
Ovechkin has previously expressed public support for Putin. His Instagram profile photo features the Russian president, and before Russia’s 2018 presidential election, Ovechkin created the “Putin Team” movement. At the time, he said, “I just support my country.”
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ovechkin urged an end to the conflict.
“Please, no more war,” he said, adding that “we have to live in peace and a great world.”
Asked about Putin at the time, Ovechkin responded, “He’s my president, but I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete.”
Ovechkin celebrated his 41st birthday Thursday as he prepared for his 22nd NHL season. He agreed to a one-year contract with Washington in July, but has not indicated whether he plans to play beyond the 2026-27 season.
His latest remarks sparked criticism online, with social media users challenging how his stated support for peace aligns with his appearance in the political video.
