Latvian singer Laima Vaikule has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, stating that Russia could have bought the entire country with the money it is currently spending on military destruction.
Speaking on the Deutsche Welle podcast Perezhyvem, the performer delivered an emotional appeal directly to the Russian leader, urging him to stop fighting and retire to a dacha for five years.
Vaikule described the situation in Ukraine as terribly difficult and frightening, questioning why the conflict was being fought. She said that instead of spending vast sums to destroy Ukraine, Russia could have bought all of the country, including Crimea, by purchasing land peacefully and respecting the local population.
Addressing Putin directly, Vaikule asked why Russia is focused on destroying Ukrainians and Europe at a time when other nations, such as Japan, are thinking about extending human life. She suggested that the Russian president could live to the age of 120 if he stepped away from the war.
Security in the Baltic region
The singer acknowledged that good relations between Russia and Ukraine are impossible today, while offering her full support to Ukrainians resisting the invasion launched by Moscow.
Vaikule also declared that she would personally take up an automatic rifle if Russian forces were to invade any of the Baltic states, including her home country of Latvia.
Concert refusal and language stance
When asked if she would be willing to give a concert in Russia after the war ends, Vaikule gave a categorical no.
She also took a sharp stance on the use of the Russian language. Vaikule explained that if Russian bombs were to begin falling on Latvia, she would refuse to speak a single word of Russian, except perhaps to use profanity.
Vaikule is a prominent Latvian singer and actress who built a decades long career across Eastern Europe and former Soviet nations. Deutsche Welle, which produced the podcast, is Germany's international public broadcaster.
