Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky was taken by surprise when actor Sean Penn, 62, presented him with one of his Oscar statuettes. In a video, the actor said he would leave the trophy with the president until Ukraine wins the war against Russia.
“It’s just a symbolic, silly thing,” says Penn. “When you win, bring it back to Malibu,” added the actor, who won Oscars for “About Boys and Wolves” (2003) and “Milk” (2008).
Zelensky awarded his colleague the Order of Merit honor for supporting the country on his third visit to Ukraine since the war began. He makes a documentary in the region.
Actors and directors Sean Penn and Ben Stiller, 56, are among 25 “senior officials, representatives of the business communities, experts and cultural figures” banned from Russia in September by that country’s Foreign Ministry, according to Deadline. The Russian decision comes after the actors visited Ukraine and met with President Zelensky in the midst of the war, which began in February.
Also on the list are Senators Rick Scott, Mark Kelley, Pat Toomey, Kevin Kramer, Krysten Sinema and several US trade officials, including US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the list is based on the “principle of reciprocity”.
“Hostile actions by US authorities, which continue to follow a Russophobic course, destroying bilateral ties and escalating confrontation between Russia and the United States, will continue to be resolutely rebuffed,” the ministry said.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have been an author at News Bulletin 247 for the past 2 years. I mostly cover politics news. I am a highly experienced and respected journalist. I have won numerous awards for my work.
