Anna Netrebko has released a new statement asserting her opposition to the war in Ukraine and affirming she has never been aligned with Putin.

In a statement the soprano said, “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.”

The soprano also noted that she will resume her life as a performer in May.