President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise cameo at the Grammy Awards, asking spectators to "fill the quiet with your music" in pre-recorded remarks."Can you think of anything more diametrically opposed to music?" In a video apparently shot recently from a bunker in Kyiv, Zelensky addressed the question on Sunday. He described the stillness of damaged cities and slain people as "the silence of ruined cities and killed people."

"Our loved ones don't know if we'll ever be reunited." "We don't get to select who lives and who dies in perpetual quiet because of the conflict," he concluded. "Instead of tuxedos, our musicians wear body armor. They sing to the sick and injured in hospitals, even if they are unable to hear them. But the music will find a way to get through."The video was released before to John Legend's performance of "Free." Legend's performance included visuals from the battle as well as Lyuba Yakimchuk, a poet from Donbas, Ukraine, who performed lines like "Protect my Motherland."

Before Legend approached the stage, Zelensky remarked, "On our territory, we are battling Russia, which delivers dreadful quiet with its bombs." "Bring your music to fill the void!" Fill it in right now to help us tell our story. Tell the truth about this conflict on social media and on television. Please assist us in any manner you can. Any — but certainly not quiet. Then there will be peace."

Throughout Russia's invasion, which began in February, Zelensky has received widespread appreciation for his leadership, which included regular summons to action from the streets and within Kyiv's bunkers. Zelensky gave a virtual speech to members of Congress last month.An appearance by Ukraine's president had been planned for a week as part of another high-profile Hollywood awards ceremony, but it never materialized.Amy Schumer, who co-hosted the Oscars last Sunday, claimed she had proposed to the show's producers that the Ukrainian president come.