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Star soprano singer Anna Netrebko, who had announced she was taking a break, has issued a new statement opposing Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and affirming that she has never joined hands with Putin. She also noted that she will resume her life as a performer in May.

Netrebko expressed support for Russian-backed separatists when Russia invaded the Crimean peninsula in 2014. Because of this, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, her appearances were cancelled , including at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and declared a leave of absence.

Her statement as follows.

“I expressly condemn the war on Ukraine and my thoughts are with the victims of this war and their families. My position is clear. I am not a member of any political party nor am I allied with any leader of Russia. I acknowledge and regret that past actions or statements of mine could have been misinterpreted. In fact, I have met President Putin only a handful of times in my entire life, most notably on the occasion of receiving awards in recognition of my art or at the Olympics opening ceremony. I have otherwise never received any financial support from the Russian Government, and live and am a tax resident in Austria. I love my homeland of Russia and only seek peace and unity through my art.”

Photo：Anna Netrebko