Anna Netrebko’s performance at the Wiesbaden May Festival sparked new debates and demonstrations. In an interview, the Ukrainian ambassador Oleksiy Makejev explains why, despite distancing himself from the war, he has no qualms about the Russian opera star.
Mr. Ambassador, opera star Anna Netrebko has spoken out publicly against the war, why is this statement not enough for you?
Ms. Netrebko only distanced herself from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine when she was no longer given a stage in Europe. Putin brutally attacked Ukraine in 2014, people like Ms. Netrebko applauded the policies of the Russian leadership.