The Maggie May singer was booed and slammed for his performance in Germany while singing the anti-war song he dedicated to Ukraine, with the Ukrainian flag being projected on a screen behind him.
Stewart is currently touring in Europe and performed in Leipzig’s Quarterback Immobilien Arena on Friday, June 14, but left concertgoers unsure what to say when images of Vladimir Zelenskyy were shown.
Ever since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago, Stewart has made his criticism of Vladimir Putin and the war extremely clear.
During his Friday evening show, the 79-year-old performed his 1991 hit Rhythm Of My Heart - which he calls a war song and has dedicated to Kyiv in recent shows.
Whilst singing the hit, photos of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were shown as well as the Ukrainian flag, which soon promoted boos and jeering from the audience.
As videos of the moment were quickly circulated on X, many fans of the star were left confused and divided by his decision, as one user commented: "That's why don't mix politics with entertainment."
"Who in the name of God would go to a Rod Stewart concert to get 'some incisive political content?' Some great music for sure but why is this even a thing that there would be a 'war' segment of the Rod Stewart CONCERT??," another slammed.
Someone else said: "People are fed up with Pop stars trying to be messengers. If we want political music we will seek it out. You're a Pop star, stick to entertaining."
"Why? Rod?" one asked before another quipped: "People pay you to sing, just do your job."
One user defended: "He's allowed to have his own opinions. Maybe he went about it the wrong way but there is nothing wrong with him showcasing his beliefs and praying for a country in war." (sic)
His bold move comes as the singer continues to condemn Russia, and recently branded Vladimir Putin an "a*****e" during an interview with Sky News.
He told presenter Niall Patterson: "You let that a******e into Ukraine, he'll get into every NATO country. And we'll have to join the army.
"We have to support Ukraine right to the end. Peace in the Middle East as well. We need joy, we live in very dark times."
In October 2022, Stewart also revealed he had rented and furnished a home for a family of seven Ukrainian refugees and told The Mirror at the time: "Words couldn't describe what we were watching.
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"The bombing of innocent children, the bombing of hospitals and playgrounds. Like everyone else, we were completely beside ourselves. I don't wish that on anyone. This is evil, pure evil."
GB News has contacted a representative of Stewart's for a comment.
