The arrival in Russia of Kanye West shocks the Kremlin: “A mentally ill person from a hospital who paints swastikas on the wall”

Kanye West's arrival in Russia has stirred the Kremlin, with officials accusing him of being "a mentally ill patient in a hospital who paints swastikas on the wall." This marks the first time a significant foreign artist has performed in Russia since the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The primary reasons for avoiding the nation were difficulties in receiving payments due to sanctions and the reputational cost of acting during a war that threatens hundreds of thousands of lives.

Kanye West, who has had to cancel parts of his European tour for promoting Nazi symbolism and racist statements, was met with enthusiasm by Russians and served as propaganda for a government that has traditionally avoided criticism of right-wing politicians and celebrities. However, West is an exception. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until it was remembered that he has a song titled "Heil Hitler" and displays swastikas.