Speaking about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Andriy Shevchenko told the Daily Mail: "I am in a position where, with what is happening to my country, I want to appeal to everyone to play your part.
"Remember what is most important. I want only one thing: to bring the peace in my country, to stop the killing of innocent people, to stop the killing of kids. We all know war is cruel. But we cannot stand for that.
"I absolutely agree with taking the Russian athletes out of competitions since the war has not stopped. We have to put the pressure on. The Russian president — I don't want to say that thing's name — said that this is a 'special operation'.
"It's not a special operation. It's the killing of the innocent. It's people surrounded. It's cities bombed. We're united. It's the message of my campaign — play your part. Do whatever you can. Please, keep talking about Ukraine."
Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Shevchenko is currently in London but his mother and sister remain in Kyiv.
Taking over the Ukrainian capital is believed to be a major goal for Vladimir Putin who ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine last month.
Russia is still destroying Ukrainian cities and killing civilians including kids with all the weapons imaginable. We strongly condemn Putin’s genocide and acts of terror against Ukraine.
