Ellie Goulding has revealed that she recently visited Ukraine as a guest of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena Zelenska, describing the experience as "one of the greatest honours".
The singer-songwriter, 35, travelled to Kyiv to speak at the First Ladies Summit, which was held on Saturday and hosted by Ukraine's First Lady.
Writing on Instagram, Goulding shared her experience with her 14.1 million followers. She said: "This weekend I travelled as a guest of President Zelensky and the first lady, Olena Zelenska to Kyiv to speak at the First Ladies Summit (and sing a little, somehow while I was there I learnt a beautiful and powerful song in Ukrainian, Chervona Kalyna). It has been one of the greatest honours.
"I was determined to be there in person to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian People. I was inspired by a number of people, but particularly a young #fridaysforfuture climate activist @ilyess_ek who I met at the Nature and Climate talks in Stockholm a few weeks ago. Traumatised by the invasion of his country he nevertheless showed up at the UN talks determined to carry on his work.
"In fact every day as a @UNEP ambassador I am reminded of the immense contribution of Ukrainian climate scientists, renewable energy experts and environmentalists of all type. They are living through an horrific war bankrolled by fossil fuels. They somehow find the grit to keep going, working and campaigning for all of humanity.
"So I always knew that if I got the chance, I would try to show up too. On the night train to Kyiv I looked out of the window and could make out the endless fields... a reminder that the Ukraine is the breadbasket of the world, this bastion of culture, of science and humanity is also a cradle of resistance and courage and commitment.
"I can't tell you what an emotional journey this has been. There's too much to put into words right now but I stand in solidarity, awe and respect with the people of Ukraine."
In October 2017, Goulding was recognised with a Global Leadership Award by the United Nations Foundation for her environmental and social justice activism.
She has also been a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme since 2018.
The First Ladies Summit was being held for the second time and was attended by First Ladies and other influential men and women, who came together to discuss the crisis in Ukraine and other crises around the globe.
The theme of the event was "human" and many of the discussions and panels looked at the impact of the war in Ukraine on its people.
British journalist and TV host Piers Morgan was invited to moderate the event, which was attended by First Lady of the US Jill Biden and wife of the French President Brigitte Macron.
Scroll through the gallery to see Ellie Goulding and other international stars performing at Expo 2020 Dubai's opening ceremony
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Spectacular fireworks and entertainment welcome the world to Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday night. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The opening ceremony under the magnificent Al Wasl dome. Photo: Karim Sahib / AFP -
The silver and white ghaf tree forms a centrepiece at the performance centre of Al Wasl Plaza during the opening ceremony. Photo: Ali Haider / EPA -
Andrea Bocelli takes the stage at the opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony. Getty -
Ellie Goulding performs at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Chinese pianist Lang Lang opens the performance at Al Wasl Plaza for the Middle East's first Expo. Photo: Ali Haider / EPA -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Reuters -
In the pink with a splash of colour as the event starts with a bang. Photo: Reuters -
The impressive opening ceremony for Expo 2020 Dubai, which was streamed live to millions around the world. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace / AFP -
All flowered up at the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Reuters -
If the opening night is anything to go by, the entire event promises to be quite a spectacle. Reuters -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP -
Lights, colour and fun are the order of the day. Photo: Reuters -
Andra Day takes centre stage. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, declares Expo 2020 Dubai open with a prayer. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
World-renowned Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi performs in his country's Expo opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Ahlam AlShamsi performs. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, the governing body of world's fairs, addresses the audience at the opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Hussain Al Jassmi, Mayssa Karaa and Almas perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP -
Fireworks light up the skies around the Expo site in Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A logo of Expo 2020 Dubai is projected during the opening ceremony. AFP -
Flag-raising at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. -
Ahlam AlShamsi performs during the opening ceremony. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Reuters -
The opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Reuters -
The full spectacle that was the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony on Thursday night. Photo: David Jimenez / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dubai opens its Expo 2020 with an extravagant opening ceremony of fireworks, flags and light shows. Photo: AFP -
Opening ceremony fireworks. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A young Emirati performs in the story of the ring that inspired the Expo 2020 Dubai logo. Photo: Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai -
The world's fair was delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Performers line up to welcome visitors to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: AFP -
Emirati girls welcome guests before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Traditions at play to help kick off the event. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A buzz is spreading around the site before the opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Al Wasl Plaza before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The national flags of countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP -
Excited spectators arrive. AFP -
Members of staff pose for a picture before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An ideal photo opportunity. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Last-minute preparations, as meticulous as ever, for the big event. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Final preparations are under way in Al Wasl Plaza before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Officials have anticipated and prepared for every eventuality that could crop up during the 182-day world's fair. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
