Alex Ovechkin said he is "for peace and love."

This happened after the Russian hockey star appeared in an ad for a party that supports Vladimir Putin.

The video is for the United Russia party.

It became public this week.

It appeared days before Ovechkin's Washington Capitals held their media day on Thursday.

In the ad, Ovechkin stands behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Viacheslav Fetisov also took part.

Fetisov was a famous Soviet hockey star.

Ovechkin said he is Russian and supports his country.

He said he hopes everyone understands that everybody wants peace.

He said he did not hesitate to take part in the ad.

He explained that they asked him, and he said yes.

Ovechkin supported Putin in 2017.

At that time, he started a social movement called the "Putin Team."

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Then Ovechkin said, "Please, no more war."

People asked him about his relationship with Putin.

He said Putin was his president.

But he said he was not in politics.

He said he was an athlete.

Russia's parliamentary election is this week.

United Russia and nine other parties are in it.

All of them support Putin's policies.

The only party against the war in Ukraine is not allowed in the election.

Ovechkin turned 41 on Thursday.

He said he plans to live in Russia when he retires from the NHL.

He called Russia his home.

He called Washington, D.C., his second home.

He did not say what he will do after the 2026-27 season.

He said he is focusing on training camp.

He said he has to make the team.