As the crisis in Ukraine continues following Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch a large-scale military operation in the neighbouring country, Green Day have announced they’re cancelling a planned concert in Moscow.
The Californian punk veterans were slated to perform at Spartak Stadium in the Russian capital a few months from now on Sunday, 29th May. “With heavy hearts, in light of current events we feel it is necessary to cancel our upcoming show in Moscow,” the band wrote on social media earlier today.
“We are aware that this moment is not about stadium rock shows, it’s much bigger than that. But we also know that rock and roll is forever and we feel confident there will be a time and a place for us to return in the future.”
Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine last Thursday (24th February), with airstrikes on numerous locations in the country including its capital, Kyiv, with Russian ground forces entering soon after. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by declaring martial ties and severing diplomatic ties with Russia, while leaders around the world condemned Putin’s actions and enacted sanctions against Russia.
Late last week, it was announced that Russia would not be permitted to compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Italy. “The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute,” the European Broadcasting Union commented in a statement.
