Arnold Schwarzenegger gives message of inspiration to Russian people

On Thursday, Arnold Schwarzenegger took to his Twitter account to deliver an important and inspirational message to the Russian people.  In the video, the Austrian-American actor and former governor of California spoke about the propaganda that the Russian government has given its people, as well the crisis that Ukrainians now face each day.

During World War II, Schwarzenegger’s father, Gustav, fought in the Nazi army, of whom were given lies by his government, believing that what they were doing was by the right of humanity.  Yet the lies and his atrocities from the war left the elder Schwarzenegger a pained man, not from just the physical ailments, but the guilt from their participation in the Leningrad Siege.  Upon reflection, the younger Schwarzenegger urged the Russian soldiers that the war they’re fighting now is not a war their ancestors fought, but an illegal one, perpetrated by one man with a desire for power.

The actor further elaborated that there will be suffering from both ends of this war, and many, especially the Ukrainian people, are already enduring great suffering and loss.  A large portion of Ukraine has Russian ties, so it feels more like an attack on families rather than enemies when the fighting happens.  Most of the victims are women and children and the elderly.

Despite the heavy darkness, there was some light in the video as Schwarzenegger, detailed an iconic moment from his early teen years.

At the young age of just fourteen years old in 1961, Schwarzenegger fell in love with the country of Russia (then the USSR) and its people.  On a more personal level, he met his weight-building idol,  Yury Petrovich Vlasov, after he attended his weight training competition.

“He had this powerful man’s hand that swallowed mine, but he was kind. And he smiled at me”, the actor reminisced.

Whenever he needed a boost of inspiration for weight training, he’d look up at Vlasov’s photo, much to his father’s dismay.  As Vlasov was a good person, it didn’t matter “what flag he carried.”

Years later, (in 1989) Schwarzenegger and Vlasov met again during the filming of the American movie, Red Heat and Arnold was given a blue cup, which he still uses today.

In closing, the Russians who stood up against the invasion are now Schwarzenegger’s heroes and the world has seen their bravery.

What did you think of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s message?  Let us know in the comments.