Russia-Ukraine war: Sting warns during Warsaw concert of threats to democracy

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — British musician Sting interrupted a concert in Warsaw on Saturday evening to warn his audience that democracy is under attack worldwide and to deunce war in Ukraine as “an absurdity based upon a lie.”

He asked a popular Polish actor, Maciej Stuhr, to come onst to translate his warning that democracy is “in grave danger of being lost unless we defend it.”

“ alternative to democracy is a prison, a prison of mind. alternative to democracy is violence, oppression, imprisonment and silence,” Sting said and n ran his hand across his neck in a throat-cutting gesture.

70-year-old delivered his mess in a country that borders Ukraine, where Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24 that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Poland has become place of refuge for more Ukrainians than any or country.

“ war in Ukraine is an absurdity based upon a lie. If we swallow that lie, lie will eat us,” Sting said. He appeared to be referring to justifications Russia has tried to give for its invasion, including a Russian claim that it seeks to “de-Nazify” Ukraine, a democracy led by a Jewish president.

Those in audience at Warsaw's National Stium would have also understand a reference to ir own country.

Sting drew strong applause in particular when he said that democracy is something messy and frustrating “but it is still worth fighting for.”

Poland's populist government is often accused by European Union and human rights organizations of eroding democratic rms with its efforts to tighten control over courts and media, reduce reproductive rights of women and eng in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.

After his speech he performed “Fragile,” whose lyrics include words that "thing comes from violence and thing ever could."