Franz Ferdinand are the latest band to cancel their upcoming Russian shows.
The news follows the Putin-led invasion of Ukraine, which has prompted a multitude of acts to pull their dates in the country.
In a statement posted online, the band write: “We are cancelling our Russian shows that are scheduled for this summer. The only reason for this is the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian state.
“We love Russia. This great country has inspired our band through its art and literature and since we first played there seventeen years ago, we have built a rich and deep relationship with our Russian fans.
“Since Thursday morning, we have spoken to many of our friends in Russia via social media and have encountered unanimous opposition to this violence and solidarity with our Ukrainian friends. We know you see the madness of your country’s leadership. We know you do not want war.
“We do not want war.
“Despite the tragedy of this situation, we still burn a flame of optimism in our hearts and look forward to the day when we can return in a time of peace to share the joy of music together again.”
You can check out the statement in the tweet thread below.
