Empire State Building Climbers Reveal Why They Risked Their Lives For Love Message

Four months after scaling the Empire State Building's broadcast antenna, daredevils Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov have spoken publicly about their motivation for the dangerous stunt, which brought widespread attention to their message about love and peace.

In an interview with ABC News correspondent Aaron Katersky that aired Wednesday on Good Morning America, Kuznetsov said the couple was focused on delivering their message rather than considering the risks involved.

"We didn't think about it," Kuznetsov said. "We think about how to show this message to the world. That's it."

The Russian couple, known for climbing skyscrapers around the world and sharing their exploits online, attracted attention on July 1 when they climbed the broadcast antenna of the iconic Manhattan building without safety equipment. Once at the top, they displayed a black banner bearing the message: "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."

Asked whether they could have communicated their message through a less dangerous approach, Kuznetsov acknowledged the serious risks and urged others not to attempt a similar climb.

Empire State Building Climbers Warn Others Against Repeating Stunt

Kuznetsov said the couple understood that their actions could have resulted in death and emphasized that their experience should not encourage others to take similar risks.

"We know how dangerous it is," he said. "We know that it's deadly dangerous and we actually want to say to people that don't try to repeat it, because we've been doing it for 15 years. And maybe you should find another way to express yourself about love. There are a lot of ideas to express ourselves. We just do it by our own way."

According to sources who spoke to ABC News at the time, Nikolau and Kuznetsov purchased tickets to the Empire State Building the day before the climb and secretly remained inside overnight.

Security camera footage reportedly captured the pair emerging through a hatch on the building's 102nd floor the following morning.

A criminal complaint filed by the Manhattan district attorney alleged that a security door lock on the 104th floor, which provides access to the building's broadcast antenna, had been broken. Sources also told ABC News that the couple appeared to have used tools to loosen brackets and gain access to a stairwell leading toward the antenna.

Hours later, they reached the top of the building, where the stunt was livestreamed.

Angelina Nikolau Calls Empire State Building Climb A Performance

During the ABC News interview, Nikolau described the climb as an artistic expression, explaining that the couple wanted the moment to be genuine rather than staged.

"This is performance," Nikolau said. "When artists do, it's real and to be in a real moment without fake, it is a real performance."

The livestream also showed Kuznetsov getting down on one knee at the top of the antenna in what appeared to be a marriage proposal.

However, Nikolau's father, Dmitry Nikolau, previously told ABC News that the couple was already married and described the apparent proposal as part of the performance.

When asked during the latest interview whether they were already married, their attorney advised them not to answer the question, directing the conversation toward their future instead.

Couple Faces Felony Charges Following New York Skyscraper Climb

Nikolau and Kuznetsov, who are Russian nationals in the United States on a talent visa, are facing multiple felony charges in Manhattan Criminal Court, including burglary and reckless endangerment.

The couple is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. They have also expressed hope that they will be allowed to remain in New York.

Kuznetsov said both of them were prepared to accept the consequences of their actions.

"We're ready to take responsibility for what we did," he said.

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Asked whether he believed he owed anyone an apology, Kuznetsov singled out two police officers who attempted to reach the couple at the top of the building.

"I think we need to apologize to only two policemen who tried to catch us upstairs," he said.

He also recalled the officers' conduct when they finally encountered the climbers.

"When we met with them at the top and he asked, 'Are you OK?' I said, 'Yes, yes.' They were so kind, professional," Kuznetsov added.