Thirty Seconds To Mars’ Jared Leto accused of “insulting” Ukraine after likening Russian war to “problems”

15 October, 2024

Jared Leto of Thirty Seconds To Mars in 2024.

Thirty Seconds To Mars frontman Jared Leto has been accused of “insulting” Ukraine, after likening Russian war to “problems”.

The moment came as the musician and actor appeared on stage in Belgrade last week (October 11), as part of his band’s ongoing ‘Seasons Tour’.

While speaking to the crowd in Serbia, Leto asked whether there were any Russians in the audience, before saying that he missed visiting the country and would like to return “once all these problems are finished” (via Independent) – referring to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“We’re going to come back to Serbia, we’re going to go up to St. Petersburg over Moscow. We’re going to drop down to Kyiv,” he added. “We’re gonna party and hang out with everybody.”

After footage was shared online, the comments soon sparked backlash from some fans, with many claiming that he minimised the scale of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

One of which was Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Taking to X/Twitter, they shared footage of the gig alongside the caption: “Jared Leto’s ‘feeling the Russian energy’ and his wish to perform in Russia is an insult to those sacrificing lives to defend freedom. There can be no appeasement for Russia when it continues its attempts to solve ‘problem’ of Ukraine’s very existence.”

Elsewhere, someone criticised Leto by writing: “Are you aware that there is WAR in Ukraine and not just some ‘problems’? Are you aware that Russians voluntarily come here to commit genocide and war crimes? If what you said is okay for you, if you sympathise war supporters, then you are NOT welcome in Ukrainian capital Kyiv.”

Another wrote: “It seems that what is a war for Ukrainians is merely an inconvenience for Jared Leto, preventing him from performing in St. Petersburg and Moscow,” while a different user shared a photo of the damage in Ukraine in response. Find more replies to Leto’s comments below.

Although the comments from the gig in Serbia have sparked backlash from many fans online, it is worth highlighting that the singer and actor has voiced his support for Ukraine multiple times in the past.

After news of the war first broke, he took to Twitter to share his solidarity with the nation. “To my friends and family in Ukraine – my heart breaks that this has escalated in such a devastating way. Please take great care and be as safe as you can. Sending thoughts to you and your loved ones during this chaotic and disruptive time.”

He also spoke out in support of Ukraine 10 years ago, when he took home the award for Best Supporting Actor at the 2014 Oscars. During his victory speech – which saw him win for his role in Dallas Buyers Club – he said: “To all the dreamers out there around the world watching this tonight in places like the Ukraine and Venezuela. I want to say we are here and, as you struggle to make your dreams happen, to live the impossible, we’re thinking of you tonight.”

NME has reached out to Jared Leto’s team for comment.

Thirty Seconds To Mars announced the ‘Seasons Tour’ last year, and Jared Leto celebrated the dates by climbing the Empire State Building.

Speaking about the task in a press release, Leto said: “The building is a testament of all the things that can be done in the world if we put our minds to it, which is largely the inspiration behind our most recent album, ‘It’s The End Of The World But It’s A Beautiful Day’.”

The tour began in March with a string of festival appearances in South America. From there, they headed over to the UK and EU throughout April and May, followed by a summer trek across the US in July and August.

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