Ovechkin Putin Ad Controversy

What happened

The outlets' own sentences, most widely reported first. Hover or tap one to see who reported it.

Analysis

How it changed

1. 15 Sep

   Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer, has appeared in a campaign ad for the United Russia party, which supports Vladimir Putin, as he prepares for the new hockey season.

   4 outlets · The Guardian
2. 16 Sep

   Ovechkin, who turns 41 this week, has tallied 929 goals in 21 NHL seasons, all with the Caps.

   2 outlets · NBC News
3. 17 Sep

   “I’m for peace and love, and I hope in the world it doesn’t matter who you are; I hope everybody understands, everybody wants peace, and everybody hopes everything is going to be OK in the world.”

   3 outlets · Al Jazeera
4. 18 Sep

   Liberal MPs are condemning a pro hockey player’s support for the Putin regime but are stopping short of calling for him to be banned from Canada.

   2 outlets · The Globe and Mail

Coverage 10 articles

• 18 Sep Federal ministers slam NHL player Alex Ovechkin’s pro-Putin ad, but won’t say if he should be sanctionedFederal ministers in Canada are criticizing NHL player Alex Ovechkin for appearing in an advertisement supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin's political party, United Russia. Justice Minister Sean Fraser called Ovechkin's geopolitical views "terrible," while Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed discomfort with the mixing of sports and politics. However, when asked if sanctions should be imposed on…National Post
• 18 Sep Ukraine advocates ask Ottawa to sanction NHL's Alex Ovechkin after Putin commercialUkrainian advocates in Ottawa are urging the government to sanction NHL player Alex Ovechkin after he appeared in a commercial supporting the Russian regime. Ovechkin, who endorsed Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement on Russia's stance towards Ukraine, faces renewed calls for sanctions and bans from entering Canada by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. While Justice Minister Sean Fraser criticizes Ovechkin as…Toronto Star
• 18 Sep Ukraine advocates ask Ottawa to sanction Alex Ovechkin after Russian political adThe Ukrainian Canadian Congress is urging the Canadian government to sanction and ban Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin after he appeared in a political advertisement with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who vowed "no mercy" against Russia's critics. This comes following previous calls from 2022 for similar actions due to Ovechkin’s support for Vladimir Putin and Russia's military activities in…The Globe and Mail
• 18 Sep Alex Ovechkin claims he’s ‘not in politics’. His pro-Putin video says the oppositeWashington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin recorded a video in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin for United Russia ahead of parliamentary elections. Despite his previous claim of staying out of politics, Ovechkin participated alongside high-ranking officials like Sergei Lavrov and Margarita Simonyan, expressing hope for peace and love globally. The Capitals released a neutral statement regarding the…The Guardian
• 17 Sep Alex Ovechkin says he's 'for peace and love' after appearing in ad for Putin-aligned partyAlex Ovechkin appeared in an advertisement for United Russia, a party aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his off-season. When asked about it at Washington Capitals’ media day, Ovechkin stated he supports his country and hopes for peace and love globally. He also confirmed his intention to live in Russia after retiring from the NHL, emphasizing that Russia is his home while DC remains a significant…CBC
• 17 Sep Alex Ovechkin on appearing in Putin campaign video: ‘I support my country’Alex Ovechkin defended his appearance in a political campaign video supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime during an interview with ESPN. When asked about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin stated he is not involved in politics and hopes for peace, emphasizing that he supports his home country and plans to live there after retiring from hockey. He did not face immediate backlash within the Capitals…New York Post
• 17 Sep ‘I’m Russian’: NHL star Ovechkin defends Putin ad appearanceNHL star Alexander Ovechkin appeared in an advertisement for Russia’s United Russia party, which supports President Vladimir Putin, during the Washington Capitals’ media day on Thursday. When questioned about his involvement and ties to Putin amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ovechkin stated he is "for peace and love" and hopes for global understanding and stability. He also confirmed plans to live in Russia…Al Jazeera
• 17 Sep NHL superstar Ovechkin ‘was asked’ to film Putin ad, team saysThe Washington Capitals' spokesperson stated that their star player Alex Ovechkin was "asked by his country" to participate in a campaign video for Russian President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party, amid criticism over Ovechkin’s long-standing support for Putin and his appearance in the recent election video. The team emphasized Ovechkin’s focus on hockey rather than politics, while critics argue that his…Al Jazeera
• 16 Sep Alex Ovechkin, all-time NHL goal scorer, appears in ad supporting Vladimir PutinNHL star Alex Ovechkin, who recently surpassed Wayne Gretzky as the all-time leading goal scorer in NHL history, appeared in a Russian television ad supporting President Vladimir Putin. The advertisement features Ovechkin alongside other notable figures including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and former Detroit Red Wings player Viacheslav Fetisov, expressing their backing of Putin’s United Russia party…NBC News
• 15 Sep NHL star Alex Ovechkin appears in campaign ad for pro-Putin United Russia partyNHL star Alex Ovechkin appeared in a campaign advertisement for the pro-Putin United Russia party as he prepares for the upcoming hockey season. The ad features Ovechkin alongside prominent Russian officials including Sergey Lavrov, Margarita Simonyan, and others who support Putin’s regime. While Ovechkin has been a longtime supporter of Putin, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he became more cautious…The Guardian

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