President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an online call discussed with the members of one of the world's most popular bands, Imagine Dragons, their future collaboration with the fundraising platform UNITED24.
The musicians will promote the Medical Aid direction of UNITED24. In particular, they will support the fundraising for ambulances, which was started by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.
"In 2018, you visited our country for the first time. In 2022, you are still doing your best so that the voice of Ukraine continues to be heard throughout the world. Thank you for this!" Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The group's lead singer, Dan Reynolds, said: "We love the people of Ukraine and want to help in any way possible. Injustices like this can only be conquered when people around the world come together. We stand by the beautiful people of Ukraine and their courageous leader President Zelenskyy."
According to the musician, Imagine Dragons will work with UNITED24 and local leaders to continually find ways to raise awareness and funds for the people until this unjust war ends.
"We look forward to the day when we can play a concert again in Kyiv and celebrate freedom, life and music with the resilient and strong people of Ukraine," Reynolds said.
The first project the band will support as part of this collaboration is a fundraiser for Ambulance Vehicles launched by Olena Zelenska to help save thousands of lives. Today's estimated number of reanimobiles needed in Ukraine is 400. Such vehicles are equipped with everything required to transport the severely injured to a hospital: oxygen tanks, cardiomonitors, defibrillators, electrocardiographs and ALV devices. The approximate cost of one C-type ambulance vehicle is EUR 100,000.
Imagine Dragons are the latest to join legendary footballer Andriy Shevchenko, outstanding tennis player Elina Svitolina, and American actor Liev Schreiber, who are all already helping the fundraising platform UNITED24 raise funds for Ukraine. The next ambassador will be announced in the upcoming week.
The Grammy Award winners have had a long, heartfelt connection with their Ukrainian audience. In 2018, they visited Ukraine for the first time: tickets to the largest concert venue – the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv – sold out in the first few weeks. The group was supposed to return on June 3, 2022, but the event had to be canceled due to the Russian invasion. The artists immediately canceled their planned performance in the Russian Federation as well, and banned the release of their discography there. Additionally, the American band supported Ukraine by performing at the Save Ukraine telethon, and during this year's European tour, the group's lead singer, Dan Reynolds, was rarely seen without the Ukrainian flag, dedicating songs to the country.