Former Ukraine international Andriy Shevchenko has revealed his thoughts on the "real tragedy" Ukrainian people are facing, amid the Russian invasion.
The football world has shown solidarity with Ukraine via demonstrations of togetherness at stadiums across Europe since the Russians invaded the country last week.
Shevchenko was the manager of his national side until last summer, and he told Sky Sports News: "I talk to my parents, I talk to my mother and say I want to go back, but my feeling is here now, to talk about what's going on, the real tragedy the Ukrainian people are facing at the moment.
"My thought is to try to get people to understand the situation, the human side of the situation we are facing. I've tried to talk to the foundation, to raise the money, and help the Ukrainian society there.
"I'm so proud to be Ukrainian. It's a very difficult moment for my country, my people, my family. My mum and sister are in Kyiv at the moment, and terrible things have happened there. People dying, children dying, missiles pointing into our houses.
"We need to stop this war, we need to find a way to stop the war. We have refugees, we need humanitarian aid. We need medical support, food support. It feels like I can do a lot here, and I will do."
The former Dynamo Kiev striker went on to say: "I have tried [to convince my family to leave] many times, I have talked to them, but the answer is no. They want to stay there. This is the Ukrainian spirit.
"It's a great reaction from the institutions [to suspend Russia from its' competitions] like UEFA and FIFA to make the right decision. I don't think it's a difficult decision. When you attack a country, when you start to send in bombs and soldiers; it's not a conflict, it's a real war."
"When the war has not stopped, I think it's the right decision not to allow any Russian athletes to participate in any sporting event. Football doesn't exist for me any more. I don't think about it. It's not the time for that. I'm not watching anything, any sport, anything."
Ukraine are set to face Scotland in March in their bid to reach the Qatar World Cup later this year.
Sammy Wynne
