Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 11:32 PM• Last update: 23:51

Oleksandr Zinchenko has spoken out strongly about the high tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian-born Manchester City left-back expresses his support for his native country in a fiery statement on Instagram, implicitly condemning the intentions of Russia and President Vladimir Putin. The world has been in turmoil for some time, as war is imminent between the two countries.

“The entire world civilization is concerned about the situation in my country,” Zinchenko wrote in his post. “I can’t stand by and strive to get my point across. My country is in the picture† The country in which I was born and raised. The country whose colors I defend in the international sports arena. The country we are trying to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain intact. My country belongs to the Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it. We will not give away our land! Glory to Ukraine!”

Putin’s Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, an area that, according to United Nations member states, still falls under Ukraine’s control. After that, there was always a threat in the air between the neighboring countries. Tensions have intensified in recent times. Putin on Monday recognized Donetsk and Luhansk as independent people’s republics, areas in Ukraine largely inhabited by pro-Russian separatists. This violated agreements in the so-called ‘Minsk agreements’, which ensured some stability in the region. The United States and the United Kingdom, among others, have already announced sanctions against Russia; Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called Putin in Jinek Monday night ‘total paranoia’.