Arnold Schwarzenegger has shared his solidarity with the people of Ukraine after Russia began to invade the country.
The Ukrainian government had revealed that 137 civilians and military personnel had so far been killed in the conflict in the first day of fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
Arnold, 74, who was the former Governor of California and was born in Austria in 1947, shared his support for Ukraine on social media.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people. I have been asked to do several interviews, but I believe the news should continue to focus on what is happening on the ground – on the tragedy that has broken our hearts and the bravery of the Ukrainian people that has inspired us.
‘I am not a foreign policy expert, so I will leave the analysis to smarter people than me.’
Reflecting on his own experiences of childhood after a war, Arnold continued: ‘I do know what it is like to grow up after a war, in an occupied country, and I know that in war and its aftermath, no one wins. Everyone suffers.
‘War has a way of breaking the winners as well as the losers.’
Arnold added: ‘I have Ukrainian friends and fans and I have Russian friends and fans. As far as I can tell, none of them want this.
‘I hope sanity will eventually prevail and end this unnecessary war before too many lives are broken.
‘In the meantime I stand with the people of Ukraine. I share your grief and your hope for peace.
‘You inspire me with your bravery and your humanity in the face of this nightmare. God bless you.’
Russian forces had launched overnight bombing raids close to Kyiv, with many families fleeing to underground stations to seek cover from the attacks.
President Vladimir Putin’s assault by land, sea and air on Ukraine is the largest attack on a European nation since World War II as he attempts to gain control of the country.
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