Sir Rod Stewart has defended his support for Ukraine after he appeared to be booed as photos of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were shown at a concert in Germany.

The 79-year-old was met with loud boos, shouts and whistles from the crowd in 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.

Sir Rod then saluted the Ukrainian leader, while images of President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian flag were projected on screen.

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Reacting to the jeers from the crowd on Monday, Sir Rob said he has supported the Ukrainian people since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.

“From arranging for members of my family to take supplies to the country, to renting a house in the UK for a Ukrainian family, as well as employing two Ukrainians as part of my touring crew,” he said.

“So yes, I do support Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, and I will continue to do so.

“Putin must be stopped.”

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The singer ended the statement by saying he is having “the time of my life playing for German audiences, sharing some special memories” and is looking forward to playing his remaining dates there.

Sir Rod has regularly condemned Russia, and recently called Vladimir Putin an “arsehole” during an interview with Sky News.

He is due to 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.

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