After public criticism and several canceled performances, star soprano Anna Netrebko distanced herself more clearly than before from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"My position is clear.
I am not a member of any political party nor am I affiliated with any leader in Russia," the 50-year-old said through her German lawyer on Wednesday.
"I recognize and regret that some of my actions or statements in the past could be misinterpreted.
In fact, I've only met President Putin a handful of times in my life, mostly at art awards ceremonies or at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
Several opera houses had recently canceled performances by Netrebko.
She had spoken out publicly against the war - but not against Putin.
Last year she celebrated her 50th birthday with a big gala in the Kremlin in Moscow.
Now she said: "I expressly condemn the war against Ukraine and my thoughts are with the victims of this war and their families." She loves her homeland Russia and strives through her art "exclusively for peace and unity".
After a break from performing, she will resume her opera and concert performances at the end of May, initially in Europe.