Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday in a video message. “Support us in any way you can, but not with your silence. This is chilling”, he said in a statement. 

“The war doesn’t let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence. Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals. Even to those who can’t hear them. But the music will break through anyway”, Zelensky said in the pre-recorded video message.

Also Read: Louis CK, accused of sexual misconduct, wins Grammy for Best Comedy Album

“We defend our freedom. To live. To love. To sound. On our land we are fighting Russia, which brings horrible silence with its bombs. The death, silence. Fill the silence with your music! Fill it today, to tell our story”, the Ukrainian leader added.

He ended by saying: “Tell the truth about the war on your social networks, on TV. Support us in any way you can any, but not silence. And then peace will come to all our cities.”

Also Read: Mantas Kvedaraviius, Lithuanian documentary filmmaker, killed in Mariupol amid Russia-Ukraine war

The Ukraine dedicated segment at the Grammy Awards also included a performance by three artists from the Eastern European country. 

Siuzanna Iglidan, Mika Newton and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk performed alongside John Legend at the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy shared in a social media post.

The Recording Academy previously stated that it would collaborate with Global Citizen and the ‘Stand Up For Ukraine’ movement to give a special segment to the war-torn country.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a statement to PEOPLE, “We are heartbroken by the situation in Ukraine, yet still moved by the resilient spirit on display there every day.”

He added, “We hope the segment inspires our worldwide audience to get involved in supporting these critical humanitarian efforts.“