Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accepted an oscar from Sean Penn as a “symbolic” gesture” amid the ongoing war with Russia.
The Hollywood star was seen giving one of his Oscar awards to Zelensky.
Penn has cozied up to many questionable leaders in the past, including Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez.
“This is for you,” Penn said as he handed over his Oscar to Zelensky.
“I feel terrible. It’s just a symbolic, silly thing, but if I know this is here with you, then I’ll feel better and stronger for the fight,” Penn added.
The Milk actor continued, “When you win, bring it back to Malibu. I’ll feel much better knowing a piece of me is here.”
Zelensky responded, “We have to win.”
Watch
Sean Penn awards his Oscar for Best Actor to Zelensky. pic.twitter.com/DFi67MwOBn
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 9, 2022
Sharing a clip, the Ukrainian president wrote in a caption, “Sean brought his Oscar statuette as a symbol of faith in the victory of our country. It will be in Ukraine until the end of the war.”
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At the same meeting, the Ukrainian leader also presented Sean Penn with a Order of Merit of the III degree award for his “significant contribution to the popularisation of Ukraine in the world.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky mentioned that Penn’s name was also added to “Walk of the Brave” in Kyiv.
Penn said there were three places in the world where “all the pride of my life would be – the place where my daughter was born, the place where my son was born, and this.”
He has reportedly previously said he had considered fighting for Ukraine during the conflict.
Penn was also in Ukraine on February 24, after the Russia-Ukraine crisis began.
At the time, Penn met with Zelensky’s adviser Alexander Rodnyansky in Kyiv, according to photos posted to official social media accounts.
On a slightly more positive note today in spite of the political and military situation: Exciting, fun and captivating conversation over dinner with @SeanPenn, who came to #Kyiv at this critical moment. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/GLwoDlrFcg
— Alexander Rodnyansky (@arodnyansky) February 23, 2022
Ah, well then. The war really is just show b******s then, and Zelensky still just a bad actor.