Ukrainian Footaller Zinchenko Ready to Fight for His Homeland: “I Would Go [to Fight]”
Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has declared his unwavering loyalty to Ukraine, stating he would readily take up arms to defend his country if called upon.
A Nation at War: School Friends on the Frontline
The 27-year-old footballer revealed the gravity of the situation in Ukraine, where his school friends are now fighting Russian troops on the frontline.
“It’s tough to understand that just recently we’ve been in the same school, we were playing in the playground or on the football pitch, and now they have to defend our country,” Zinchenko said with emotion. “[It’s] so hard to accept this, but it is what it is. We cannot give up.”
Zinchenko emphasized his unwavering support for Ukraine’s resistance, highlighting their role as a “shield” for Europe against Russian aggression.
“I know maybe some people might think that it’s much easier … for me being here [in London] rather than being there [in Ukraine],” he acknowledged. “I really hope that this war will end soon.”
A Duty to His People: Helping from Afar While Yearning for Peace
Zinchenko has actively supported Ukraine throughout the war. He donated around £1 million to aid his home country and expressed his determination to continue using his platform to make a difference.
“What is my duty now? How can I help as much as I can to my country, to my people, over there and all these things?” Zinchenko pondered. “I can’t be more proud than I am right now to be Ukrainian. I have a dream that this war will end very, very soon, and we can rebuild our Ukraine like we really want [to].”
A Future Beyond Football: Rebuilding Ukraine Brick by Brick
Looking beyond his football career, Zinchenko envisions himself returning to Ukraine to help rebuild his nation.
“This is my homeland. And I would for sure, after [my] football career, I will be living in Ukraine, that’s for sure. One million percent,” he affirmed speaking to BBC Newsnight.“There will be a time everyone will be there. It will be the last call or something or whatever. It will be a call. We go, all of us, we go there. Everyone will go.”
While acknowledging the potential value he brings by raising awareness abroad, Zinchenko expressed his unwavering commitment to defending his homeland if necessary.
“Of course [I would fight],” he declared. “But at the same time I am thinking I am much more helpful from here at the moment. But you never know what is going to happen. Maybe this is the last speech we are going to speak to each other. You never know. And how many people have already been killed by this invasion? I’m not seeing myself hiding somewhere.”
