In latest appeal to US for help, Zelensky tells Grammys: 'Our musicians wear body armor'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a virtual appearance Sunday night at the 2022 Grammy Awards, among his most recent efforts to appeal to Western audiences for their support in his fight against Russia's invasion.

"The war doesn't let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence," Zelensky said in a pre-taped address for the music awards event. "Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals. They sing to the wounded in hospitals, even to those who can’t hear them. But the music will break through anyway."

Zelensky has also appeared on at least two U.S.-based networks and has spoken directly to Congress via video telecommunications. 

In the Sunday night address, Zelensky, in his signature military green T-shirt since the invasion started roughly six weeks ago, appealed to members of the highly influential music and entertainment industry by saying: "On our land, we are fighting Russia, which brings horrible silence with its bombs. The dead silence. Fill the silence with your music. Fill it today. Tell our story."