Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has stepped up in support of Ukraine as he spoke directly to the people of Russia in a recent video he posted on his official social media handle. In the nine-minute video, he has requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war and also revealed a bundle of “truth” for the Russians.

Schwarzenegger started the video by asking the people of Russia to spare him a few minutes and listen with an open heart as he said, "I am speaking to you today because there are things going on in the world that are being kept from you, terrible things that you should know about." He also went back in time and recalled his childhood memories and how his hero Russian heavyweight lifter Yuri Petrovich Vlasov was his biggest inspiration growing up.

Schwarzenegger continued, "It didn’t matter to me what flag Yuri Vlasov carried. The strength and the heart of the Russian people have always inspired me. That is why I hope you will let me tell the truth about the war in Ukraine and what is happening there. No one likes to hear something critical of their government. I understand that. But as a longtime friend of the Russian people, I hope that you will hear what I have to say.

Schwarzenegger also addressed the Russian President directly as he said, "To President Putin, I say: You started this war. You are leading this war. You can stop this war. And to the Russians who have been protesting on the streets against the invasion of Ukraine: 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’ve been beaten. You are my new heroes. You have the strength of Yury Petrovich Vlasov. You have the true heart of Russia."

It is to be noted that the video, pinned on Schwarzenegger’s Twitter account, comes 22 days after Russia first invaded Ukraine in a pre-dawn attack on February 24. On Thursday, Russia rained down missiles on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, hitting a 16-storey building, launched airstrikes on Mariupol, the besieged southern city, and continued to attack several other places.

I love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth. Please watch and share. pic.twitter.com/6gyVRhgpFV

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 17, 2022