Ukrainian singer Oliya Polyakova has defended thanking Alla Pugacheva and Maxim Galkin from the stage at Laima Vaikule's festival in Jurmala, Latvia, after facing criticism from part of her audience. She addressed the backlash in an interview with Ramina Eskhakzai.
Polyakova said she does not judge people by nationality but by their actions. She said Pugacheva and Galkin had everything in Russia but one day left their home and possessions behind rather than stay under the regime, and that they support Ukraine as they can, adding that hating them earns no support in the world.
Comparing Russians and Ukrainians
Polyakova argued it made no sense to consider a Russian who gave up everything to help Ukraine worse than a corrupt Ukrainian who stole millions and wore an embroidered vyshyvanka. She said many people have helped Ukraine since the first day despite the hate, while many Ukrainians have stolen money and fled.
The controversy began after Polyakova appeared at the Laima Rendezvous Jurmala festival and was filmed alongside Russian performer Sergei Grigoriev-Appolonov, known as Grey Wiese, whose stance on Russia's aggression against Ukraine remains unclear.
