Andriy Shevchenko is first ambassador for UNITED24

Ukrainian soccer legend Andriy Shevchenko met Volodymyr Zelenskyy in kyiv after becoming the first ambassador for a charity established by the country’s president after the Russian invasion.

Shevchenko revealed that he had signed up for the fundraising platform UNITED24, which solicits donations that go directly to Ukraine’s national bank and are then distributed to help with the war effort.

The former Chelsea, AC Milan and Dynamo kyiv striker will be an ambassador for the charity, which provides support in areas including defense and demining, healthcare and infrastructure.

He returned to kyiv to meet in person with Zelenskyy, whose conduct during the Russian war, which began when Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded the nation on February 24, has been met with widespread praise.

More than 13 million people have fled Ukraine since the war started by Putin. Thousands of civilians in the country have died as a result of shelling and missile attacks by Russian forces.

In addition to the humanitarian cost, the war has suspended all sport in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Premier League season ended last month, while the national team’s World Cup play-off semi-final with Scotland was postponed until June 24.

“I became the first ambassador of the UNITED24 fundraising platform, launched by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” Shevchenko wrote on Instagram.’

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I traveled from London to kyiv to meet him in person. I have been representing Ukraine in international football for many years. Today, when my country is being torn apart by war, my priority is to help Ukraine, not football. I call everyone to make a donation.

‘All funds will go to the accounts of the National Bank of Ukraine instantly. You can donate to Ukraine demining, save someone’s life by donating for medical needs, or rebuild a kindergarten or bridge.

‘Each contribution is priceless, as Russia has already destroyed more than 7,000 buildings, thousands of kilometers of roads; and continues to kill Ukrainians every day. I thank the President of Ukraine for his trust and this great honor, and I praise each of you for his participation!

‘I ask you to contribute to the victory of Ukraine. To the victory of freedom. For the victory of the whole free world.