Ildar Abdrazakov is speaking out against the Metropolitan Opera after General Manager fired Anna Netrebko and Hibla Gerzmava.

In a new interview, the Russian bass disclosed that he has paused his relationship with the Metropolitan Opera. He said, “I just paused my relationship with the Metropolitan Opera myself: I canceled participation in Verdi’s ‘La Forza del Destino’ and Gounod’s ‘Roméo et Juliette.'”

The bass said that the reason he did so was “out of solidarity with his colleagues Anna Netrebko and Hibla Gerzmava.” He added, “the way the theater treated them is beyond. My deep conviction is that people of art should remain neutral, thereby continuing to unite peoples and countries with their art.”

Abdrazakov was recently accused of being close to the Russian dictator in a recent expose by Opern News. According to the article the bass has participated in numerous concerts featuring major politicians and was even caught dancing with the Secretary of Defense.

Over the past year General Manager Peter Gelb has been vocal about his solidarity with Ukraine. While Abdrazakov was allowed to publicly claim that he chose to withdraw from the Met, Gelb has repeatedly talked about firing Netrebko even though the Russian soprano has condemned the war repeatedly. Gerzmava’s removal was unceremonious.