Arnold Schwarzenegger has delivered a powerful message to Vladimir Putin in a new video address.
The 74-year-old Austrian-American star recently took to social media to send a direct message to the Russian President, addressing Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which today enters its third week.
Sharing the video in a tweet, the Twins star captioned the post to his 4.9 million followers: "I love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth. Please watch and share."
In the video, the former governor of California begins by saying: "Hello everybody, and thank you for sharing your time with me. I am sending this message through various different channels to reach my dear Russian friends and the Russian soldiers serving in Ukraine.
"I'm speaking to you today because there are things that are going on in the world that are being kept from you... terrible things that you should know about."
Watch Schwarzenegger's video message below:The actor-turned-politician then spoke about his Russian hero - champion weightlifter Yuri Petrovich Vlasov. He talked about the kindness the athlete once showed a teenage Schwarzenegger, and how his admiration for the Russian led to disagreements with his father.
Schwarzenegger then spoke more about his connections to Russia and his love for the country and its people.
"That is why I hope that you will let me tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine and what is happening there," Schwarzenegger continued. "No one likes to hear something critical of their government, I understand that. But, as a long-time friend of the Russian people, I hope that you will hear what I have to say."
The Kindergarten Cop star then said he was speaking with the same heartfelt concern as he did to the American people about the January 6 Capitol riots last year.
He said that what is happening in Ukraine is "wrong", and dismissed claims from the Russian government that its purpose for invading Ukraine was to "denazify" its neighbor. As he spoke, devasting images from Ukraine were displayed - showing buildings that had been shelled and refugees fleeing the country.
Schwarzenegger then spoke to the Russian citizens protesting the war, despite threats of imprisonment, saying: "The world has seen your bravery. We know that you have suffered the consequences of your courage. You have been arrested. You have been jailed. And you have been beaten. You are my new heroes."
And addressing the Russian military, he continued: "To the soldiers who are listening to this, remember that 11 million Russians have family connections to Ukraine – so every bullet you shoot, you shoot a brother or a sister."
Finally, Schwarzenegger addressed the Russian leader, telling him: "To President Putin, I say: You started this war. You are leading this war. You can stop this war."
After being uploaded to the social media platform on Thursday, the video has since amassed more than 2.7 million views, as of this writing.
If you would like to know how you can support the Ukrainian people at this time, click HERE to find a list of organizations and groups dedicated to helping those affected by this crisis.
