Alex Ovechkin Addresses His Pro-Putin Ad Amid Backlash: ‘I’m Russian and I Support My Country’

Alex Ovechkin is standing by his country.

The Washington Capitals captain addressed the media on Thursday, September 17 — which happened to be his 41st birthday — about an ad he appeared in for the United Russia party, which supports President Vladimir Putin.

“The thing about video: I’m Russian,” the left wing explained to the press (via Reuters) at the opening of training camp for his 22nd year in the NHL.

“As soon as I’m done playing hockey, I’m probably — not probably — I’m going to stay there,” he continued. “I’m going to live there. My kids are going to be there, family. So I’m full of peace and love, and I hope everything’s going to be OK.”

“My home is Russia and this is my second home. I have lots of friends, I grew up here as a person,” he added.

One reporter asked what the “ramification” would be if he had declined to appear in the video.

“Well, they asked me to do that, so yes, so it’s as simple as that,” he said, confirming that he had no hesitation.

Asked why he said yes, he reiterated, “I’m Russian and I support my country. So as I said, I’m for peace and love, and I hope, in the world, it doesn’t matter who you are. I hope everybody understands everybody wants peace, and I hope everything is going to be OK. All right, let’s do hockey questions.”

He also denied that he had faced any backlash, but as First for Sports previously reported, the decision sparked outrage in the hockey community and beyond.

Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek, who is from Czech Republic, accused the ad — in which Ovechkin does not speak but stands with a group behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as he gives a speech — of being made in support of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine in a post on X.

“Ovechkin did not have to do this,” former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, wrote on X. “He chose to do it. (I used to be a fan.)”

On X, Rep. Joe Wilson posted a letter he wrote to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman condemning Ovechkin’s decision to support Putin, who “actively works to oppose the people of Russia by outlawing freedom of speech and fair elections.”

Putin has led Russia as either president or prime minister since 1999.

In the letter, in which Capitals owner Ted Leonsis is also cc’d, Wilson questioned whether the league should allow players to show public support for “dictatorial political parties and foreign political regimes.”

Asked at the training camp whether this would be his last season, the NHL’s all-time lead scorer joked, per The Athletic, “I’m focusing right now on the training camp. But I have to make the team.”