Alexander Usyk called on Ukraine and Russia to engage in negotiations

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk spoke out in favor of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing that he was speaking not as a politician, but as an ordinary person and a Christian who longs for peace. At the same time, the athlete expressed his belief in Ukraine’s victory and noted that Ukrainians are defending their homeland.

On June 10, 2026, Usyk participated in the “America’s Adversaries: The Russia Reality” summit in Washington, D.C., where he answered questions about the war and relations between Ukrainians and Russians. According to the world champion, he does not view his statements as political. Usyk emphasized that he “doesn’t like politics at all,” unlike direct human interaction. “We must come to an agreement. We have minds, we share the same blood—it’s red, ” the athlete said.

At the same time, Usyk accused Russia of seeking to destroy the Ukrainian language, history, and the Ukrainian people. He expressed confidence that Ukraine will prevail, attributing this to his faith, prayer, and the conviction that Ukrainians are fighting for their own home.

The boxer also linked his stance to his Christian beliefs. He noted that he reads the Gospel every day and cited the commandment “Do not covet your neighbor’s house,” stating that God helps those who “do not seek what belongs to others, but defend their own.”

As a reminder, on March 22, 2026, renowned world boxing champions Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua visited a Kyiv church dedicated to St. Theodosius of Chernihiv, which belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The visit was organized so that the British boxer could honor the memory of his mentors, who tragically died in a traffic accident.