Julian Edelman stands with Ukraine.
The former star Patriots receiver posted his support on social media for the nation and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the sovereign nation last week.
In recent days, Vladimir Putin has falsely declared neo-Nazis are running Ukraine’s government, an especially offensive notion since Zelensky is Jewish. Edelman mentioned the president’s heritage in his well-wishes.
“Heartbroken seeing the violence facing Ukraine. But glad they’ve got one hell of a leader,” Edelman wrote on Instagram. “He’s a Jewish descendent of Holocaust survivors, so he’s grown up knowing what’s at stake. Zelensky is putting his people first, standing with his troops in the trenches, and showing bullies they’ll never give up.”
Zelensky has opted to stay and lead in Ukraine, despite receiving evacuation assurances from the West. He famously replied that he “needs ammunition, not a ride.”
Edelman occasionally uses his feeds to speak out about global issues. Last May, he voiced support for peace between Israel and Palestine. “Israelis and Palestinians are both warm and loving people, deserving of a safe and prosperous existence,” he wrote.
