Pep Guardiola described Oleksandr Zinchenko as "an incredibly strong guy" for his attitude amid the escalating crisis in his home country of Ukraine.
Zinchenko joined a group in Manchester demonstrating against Russia's invasion of Ukraine outside the city's Central Library on Thursday.
The full-back had previously expressed support on Instagram for his compatriots at home and condemned the actions of Russian president Vladimir Putin, who ordered the military action on Thursday.
Manchester City boss Guardiola would have no problem selecting Zinchenko for Saturday's Premier League game at Everton.
"We spoke personally with him and everyone has spoken," Guardiola said. "These are headlines today all around the world, and it's a concern but Aleks is an incredibly strong guy.
"It's not easy, but yesterday in training, he was brilliant. He is ready to play if he has to."
When asked about Zinchenko attending the Manchester vigil, Guardiola said: "What would you do if someone abroad attacked the UK?
"It's how he feels. What happened in Yugoslavia, no-one did anything. Around the world, there are many wars. It's a pity. Innocent people will die when they just want to live in peace.
"All around the world, you want a house, to sleep well, food on the table, movies, food, someone to love. When you are not involved, they attack your country, and it should be complicated to arrive at this point.
"Always innocent people pay the terrible price, the decisions of one or two people; still we don't learn what happened in the past. Right now in Syria, many places. At the end, the strong part always kills the weak one."
City saw their 15-game unbeaten run in the league end in a dramatic 3-2 home defeat to Tottenham last time out, Harry Kane scoring an injury-time winner moments after Riyad Mahrez had made it 2-2 with a penalty.
Liverpool's 6-0 thrashing of Leeds United in their game in hand means City now lead the Reds at the top of the table by just three points with 12 matches remaining.
"When we were champions, it wasn't in December or January," Guardiola said. "[On Thursday] We saw Wolves-Arsenal, so intense, they are so good. What's next? Try to win the next game.
"Why should I not be excited? I'm more than delighted to be in this position. We want to defend it, attack better and try to win games. It's so tough, I saw yesterday the game, how Tottenham played the last game. Every game is so difficult.
"What we achieved in the last years, the contenders are so intense. From the start of the season, I couldn't expect it wouldn't be what it is now.
"I'm more than grateful we're better than I thought at the start of the season. The way we defend some situations, we didn't deserve to win, trying to attack when defending teams in this way.
"A football teams never ends, is never finished. Every time we can go to training to do better. Otherwise, it would be so boring. I never felt it would be over. We want to be there and this is what I want from my team."
Maguire's league season over as Man Utd confirm muscle injury
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has suffered a muscle injury that will see him miss the final games of the Premier League season.
United face Crystal Palace on Monday, before rounding off their Premier League campaign with some tough fixtures against title-chasing Arsenal, fellow European hopefuls Newcastle United and then Brighton.
However, Erik ten Hag will have to do without centre-back Maguire, with the England international set to miss around three weeks with a muscular problem, further compounding United's injury issues in defence.
That time frame also casts Maguire's participation in the FA Cup final, which takes place on May 25, into doubt.
United will take on holders and rivals Manchester City in the Wembley showpiece, which is a repeat of last season's final.
England manager Gareth Southgate will be hoping the defender recovers fully in time for Euro 2024.
Pochettino hails Chelsea's growth after thumping West Ham
Mauricio Pochettino is delighted by Chelsea's progress in recent weeks following their dominant 5-0 victory over West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
Nicolas Jackson scored twice, while Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke were also on target as the Blues leapfrogged Manchester United into seventh place with three games remaining.
Pochettino's side, who made it back-to-back wins in the space of three days following their 2-0 success over Tottenham on Thursday, are finishing the season strongly, having now lost just one of their last 12 matches.
The Blues came under scrutiny during their 6-0 rout of Everton last month, when Jackson and Madueke were involved in an altercation following a disagreement over who should take a penalty, with the responsibility eventually going to regular taker Palmer.
However, three weeks on, the pair combined to positive effect with Madueke unselfishly squaring the ball for Jackson to tap in the first of his two goals, despite being one-on-one with West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola.
And Pochettino believes that action epitomises the growth his side are demonstrating as the season draws towards a conclusion.
"[We are] so pleased, so happy. The players deserve big credit, to play again after a few days and to play again at this level," he said, as reported by Football London.
"We received criticism for the situation with the penalty against Everton, but a young team needs to make mistakes to improve.
"It was a great action from Noni [squaring the ball for Jackson's first goal] to see how the group is starting to believe. It is always a process that takes time. It can take one month, six months or one year.
"People who know about football know the process of building a team is the most difficult thing. You need to have the capacity to emphasise with every single player.
"They need to trust in us, in the coaching staff. That is the most important thing, and then you need to start to identify what the players need. This process always takes time."
Discussing Chelsea's hopes of qualifying for Europe, Pochettino said: "From the beginning of the season, I said we should win because we are Chelsea.
"We need to be mature, keep the momentum and look to improve every single game. We are trying to be in Europe; it will be good for the team and the players to be in Europe this season."
Haaland pinpoints collective Man City quality after four-goal blitz of Wolves
Erling Haaland blasted four goals past Wolves in a one-man Premier League show but the Manchester City forward says it would not be possible without manager Pep Guardiola or his team-mates.
The City talisman took his top-flight tally to 25 for this season, moving five clear of his nearest challenger in the Premier League Golden Boot race, after Saturday's 5-1 thrashing of Wolves.
Haaland was twice on target from the penalty spot as part of his first-half hat-trick, adding another after the interval with an arrowed strike into the top-left corner.
It was the first time the Norway star has managed four goals in one Premier League game, with his quartet of strikes coming in 54 minutes. Only Gabriel Jesus has scored as many earlier in one match, doing so in 53 minutes against Watford in April 2022.
Haaland also became the third player to score multiple first-half hat-tricks in Premier League history (also against Nottingham Forest last season), along with Andrew Cole and Michael Owen (two each).
Yet the superstar attacker says his exploits would not be possible without his City colleagues or boss Guardiola.
"I've got a not-too-bad manager who pushes me and look at the players around me," Haaland told Sky Sports when asked about his motivations.
"Without them, it would not be possible. Look ahead, look to next one – four finals left for the season. We're going to go for it and focus on Fulham."
It was Haaland's sixth Premier League hat-trick for City, with only seven players netting more in the competition’s history. All six of those trebles have been at the Etihad, only three have more at a single venue.
Haaland's second strike came from a towering header following Rodri's right-wing centre, which he suggested would delight his father Alfie.
"That's a beautiful goal," the Norwegian said of his headed finish. "My father is going to be happy with that one.
"A nice celebration, I enjoyed that one. I'm scoring more headers, I try to develop and keep going."
City are within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal and Guardiola's side still have a game in hand against Tottenham on May 14.
Despite the thrashing of Wolves, Haaland insists Guardiola remains intent on winning the remaining games, rather than calculating the probabilities needed on goal difference.
"First of all it's about winning the games but, of course, you want to have the best possible goal difference," he added. "Let's not think about that. Think about Fulham."
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