He foretold Putin’s death and admired Zelenskyy: what Ukraine’s friend Vakhtang Kikabidze said about the war and how he helped the Armed Forces

People's Artist of Georgia, singer, and actor Vakhtang Kikabidze could have celebrated his 86th birthday on July 19, but his long life, filled with worthy deeds, ended on January 15, 2023. The Georgian was a loyal friend of Ukraine, so he was buried under two flags. For about 30 years, Kikabidze lived and worked in Russia, where he was very popular, but the full-scale invasion of Ukraine forced the singer to abruptly and permanently renounce the terrorist country. OBOZ.UA decided to recall what the Georgian legend had to say about Ukrainians, Russians, and the leaders of the warring countries. About Putin and propagandists The Georgian predicted an "accidental death" of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. According to the artist, the Kremlin leader will be removed as soon as he becomes unnecessary to the Russian "elite." However, Kikabidze believes that the war criminal will not rest in peace even in the afterlife. "We are all Christians. If He exists there, He sees everything. History is written in black and white, so all abominations are punished. History has already shown this. I want it to happen," said the friend of Ukraine. He despised not only the occupiers and those who give criminal orders but also Russian propagandists. For example, in an interview, the artist hinted that Tina Kandelaki has no brains since it is this organ that dictates a person's civic position. In his 84 years, Vakhtang Kikabidze had never seen such horror as the Russians have unleashed on Ukraine. He called it genocide. About Ukraine and Zelenskyy In 2022, as the world watched the Ukrainians fight against the invading army, the Georgian raised a toast and drank to the Ukrainian people on live TV, saying the world-famous slogan "Glory to Ukraine!" However, Kikabidze supported Ukrainians not only in words but also in deeds. He donated the proceeds from his 84th birthday concert to the 26th Artillery Brigade named after Major General Roman Dashkevich of the Ukrainian Army. While the artist predicted a shameful death for Putin, he praised the Ukrainian president. "At the beginning, I felt very sorry for Zelenskyy. I think he just came in and it all started, but he turned out to be a real man. 70-80% would have run away from there in his place. That's how it is," the singer said. Volodymyr Oleksandrovych did not forget his friend, and although he could not attend his funeral, former Minister of Culture of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko read out the president's speech addressed to the performer. "His dedication to life, wisdom, inexhaustible energy, and kindness were an example for everyone. Ukrainians are grateful to Vakhtang Kikabidze for his support in the fight against the Russian aggressor. The name of Vakhtang Kikabidze will be inscribed in the history of Ukraine as a great Georgian who contributed to the defense of Ukraine's independence and sovereignty. We will always remember this and never forget it," the speech said.