Hollywood Actor Jared Leto Faces Backlash Over Russian Invasion Comments

American actor and musician Jared Leto, alongside his band Thirty Seconds to Mars, recently performed a concert in Serbia, during which he made remarks that have drawn significant backlash. Notably, Leto expressed intentions to tour Russia, stating he would return to perform in Moscow and Saint Petersburg once “the problems” related to the ongoing war in Ukraine are resolved.

During the concert, Leto acknowledged the presence of several Russian attendees and remarked that he felt a “lot of Russian energy” in the audience. His comments included a promise to return to Russia and Ukraine stating, “When all these problems are over, we will come to your homeland.” He further indicated plans to also visit Kyiv.

Leto’s comments have elicited outrage from some Ukrainian observers, as he appeared to downplay the gravity of the war by referring to it as a “problem.” Previously, Leto had shown support for Ukraine, performing in Kyiv and commemorating the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred.

Responses from the audience in Serbia were mixed, with some Russian fans expressing approval through applause. Leto concluded his remarks with a “thank you” in Russian, reinforcing his connection with the audience.