Arnold Schwarzenegger makes impassioned plea to Russians in personal video
Arnold Schwarzenegger has released a new video across social media channels, which he hopes will reach his Russian fans.
In the nine-minute clip the former governor of California made an impassioned plea to Russians over the invasion of Ukraine, along with a message for Vladimir Putin, reminding him he has the power to "stop this war".
The actor recalls personal stories, including one from 1961 about meeting his teenage hero, Russian bodybuilder Yuri Petrovich Vlasov, who inspired his own career.
Arnold Schwarzenegger's impassioned plea to Russians as he recalls personal stories in new video Twitter/Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Austrian-born former bodybuilder said his dad, Gustav, had prejudices towards Russians after his experiences fighting for the Nazis in World War II and demanded the then 14-year-old take down Vlasov's poster.
The now 74-year-old said even as a teen, he didn't care what flag someone carried and continued to idolise Vlasov, whom he met again in Moscow in 1988 while filming Red Heat — the first American movie allowed to film in Red Square.
Schwarzenegger said the Russians protesting the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine were his new heroes.
"The world has seen your bravery," he said.
To begin with the actor recalls personal stories, including one about meeting his teenage hero, Russian bodybuilder Yuri Petrovich Vlasov in 1961, who inspired his own career. Twitter/Arnold Schwarzenegger
"We know that you have suffered the consequences of your courage. You have been arrested. You have been jailed. And you have been beaten. You are my new heroes."
The Hollywood heavyweight issued a special personal message to the Russian troops on the frontline of the invasion.
"When my father arrived in Leningrad, he was all pumped up on the lies of his government," Schwarzenegger said.
"And when he left Leningrad, he was broken, physically and mentally.
"He lived the rest of his life in pain. Pain from a broken back, pain from the shrapnel that always reminded him of those terrible years, and pain from the guilt that he felt.
Arnold Schwarzenegger filming Red Heat in Moscow in 1988 Twitter/Arnold Schwarzenegger
"To the Russian soldiers listening to this broadcast, you already know much of the truth that I have been speaking. You have seen it with your own eyes.
"I don't want you to be broken like my father."
Towards the end of the video, the Terminator star addressed the leaders inside the Kremlin.
"To President Putin, I say: 'You started this war. You are leading this war. You can stop this war,'" Schwarzenegger said, looking down the barrel of the camera.
Towards the end of the video, the Terminator star and former governor of California addressed the leaders inside the Kremlin Getty
