Sir Rod Stewart ‘booed’ by German crowd while making show of support for Ukraine

Ever since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago, Sir Rod Stewart has been outspoken in his criticism of Vladimir Putin and the war. But the singer appeared to be jeered in Leipzig for his latest tribute to Kyiv.

Sir Rod Stewart appeared to be booed as photos of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were shown at a concert in Germany.

The 79-year-old singer, who has spoken out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was playing at Leipzig’s Quarterback Immobilien Arena on Friday.

Before performing his 1991 hit Rhythm Of My Heart – which he calls a war song and has dedicated to Kyiv in recent shows – the Ukrainian flag was projected on screen behind Sir Rod.

Images of Mr Zelenskyy were then shown, prompting loud boos, shouts, and whistles from the crowd.

Videos from social media show the crowd appearing to jeer as Sir Rod salutes the Ukrainian president.

The singer has regularly condemned Russia since 2022, and recently called Vladimir Putin an “arsehole” during an interview with Sky News.

He told Sky News’s Friday Night With Niall Patterson in February: “We have to support Ukraine right to the end.”

In October 2022, Sir Rod also revealed had rented and furnished a home for a family of seven Ukrainian refugees.

“Words couldn’t describe what we were watching,” he told the Daily Mirror at the time. “The bombing of innocent children, the bombing of hospitals and ­playgrounds.

“Like everyone else, we were completely beside ourselves. I don’t wish that on anyone. This is evil, pure evil.”

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Sir Rod will return to Germany for a show at Hamburg’s Barclays Arena later this week, before performing in Cologne on 25 June and Munich on 28 June.

A representative for Sir Rod has been asked for comment.