Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko has accused Joe Rogan of pushing Russian propaganda on his podcast.
On the latest episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan hosted music producer Scott Storch and the pair discussed their relief that Donald Trump won the presidential election.
The conversation turned to President Joe Biden’s decision to supply American-made, long-range missiles to Ukraine for use in its war against Russia – a decision that Rogan claimed “could start World War III.”
“I feel safer knowing that Trump is in office,” Storch said.
“What I don’t feel safer about is that now they’re launching missiles into Russia,” Rogan replied.
“How are you allowed to do that when you’re on the way out? [There] should be like some sort of, like, a pause for like significant actions that could potentially start World War III.”
“Yeah, Putin should not have invaded Ukraine, yes, 100 percent, but don’t start World War III,” Rogan added, referring to Biden.
The podcaster’s comments outraged boxing icon Klitschko, who shared a statement in an Instagram video.
“You talk about these American weapons being sent to Ukraine, which you believe will lead to the third World War,” he said, addressing Rogan directly.
“So, let me tell you that you’re repeating Russian propaganda. Putin’s Russia is in trouble, so they want to scare you and people like you.”
He added: “Putin’s Russia wants to destroy Ukraine quietly, they want America to stay quiet. Not great, but quiet. A great America is not an America that abandons countries that defend freedom with their lives.”
Klitschko, whose brother Vitali Klitschko is the mayor of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, ended his statement by offering to appear on Rogan’s podcast so the two can discuss the war “like free men.”
Rogan endorsed Donald Trump in the final hours of the 2024 race after hosting him for a three-hour podcast episode.
The interview with Trump – who has claimed he would end the Russia-Ukraine conflict “within one day” – has since clocked up more than 50 million views on YouTube.
Rogan has since been pictured with Trump at Madison Square Garden during the UFC 309 event on November 16.
Last week, Biden gave his permission for Ukraine to use “long-range “ missiles to strike targets deep within Russia, despite Vladimir Putin describing such a move as an act of war.
The weapons are likely to be used in response to North Korea’s decision to send thousands of troops to Russia in support of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and comes after months of pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky had argued the US ban made it impossible for Ukraine to try to stop Russian attacks on its cities and electrical grids.
Trump is said to be “very concerned” about the escalation in fighting between Russia and Ukraine, his pick for national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox News on Sunday.
Waltz added that the war must be brought “to a responsible end.”