Amid mounting infrastructural damage in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky started UNITED24, a fundraising initiative to help repair homes and structures damaged by the running conflict with Russia. After encouraging celebrities to join the effort, he received help from an unlikely candidate, country music star, Brad Paisley.
Zelensky and Paisley held a virtual meeting on January 24th, 2023.
Paisley took to Instagram to discuss the meeting, writing, “I know I am not alone in wanting to help Ukraine, but like a lot of people in America, until now I haven’t been sure exactly how to lend a hand from over here in the U.S. That’s why I’m excited to be an ambassador for @u24.gov.ua. You can support UNITED24 by clicking the link in my bio.”
Similarly, President Zelensky said to news outlets,
“We need to engage as many famous people as possible, who will draw attention to the restoration of homes for Ukrainians affected by the war. The world-famous country performer, multiple Grammy and Academy of Country Music Awards winner, Brad Paisley, became such a person. He joined the ambassadors team of the UNITED24 fundraising platform and will support the Rebuild Ukraine program.”
UNITED24 has collected $274 million, since May.
Sources:
https://www.instagram.com/bradpaisley/?hl=en
https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/886691.html
https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-war-live-updates-1776225
