Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared on screen in a pre-taped speech at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, as Russian forces proceed with their invasion of his country.
The short video was reportedly filmed within the last 48 hours, and was presented just before a performance of John Legend's "Free", featuring Ukrainian musicians Siuzana Iglidan and Mika Newton, and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk.
In an emotional message, Zelensky talked about the toll of music and the ongoing war on Ukrainians.
He talked about musicians, whom he said traded his tuxedos for body armor, and kids who make "swooping rockets" instead of "shooting stars."
He said more than 400 children were injured and more than 150 children died. The President said that parents wake up in bomb shelters, happy to be alive.
"On our land, we are fighting Russia, which with its bombs brings terrible silence. Dead silence," Zelensky said. "Fill the silence with your music. Fill it today and tell our story."
Zelensky said that he has a dream for the cities being destroyed by the war - for Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Volnovakha, Mariupol, among others.
"I have dreamed of living them," he said. "And free. Free like you on the Grammys stage."