According to new reports, Sean Penn has given one of his Oscars to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky as a “symbol of faith” in the country’s conflict with Russia. The statuette, one of two best actor trophies won by Penn in 2004 and 2009 respectively, will stay in Ukraine until the end of the war. Here’s what you need to know.
The presentation happened during Penn’s third visit to the country during the full-scale war. During their meeting, the actor was presented with the Order of Merit of the III degree by Zelensky, who thanked him for his “significant contribution” to the war effort.
Sean Penn Gives Volodymyr Zelensky One Of His Oscars
Penn was also honored by having his name placed on a stone on the Walk of the Brave, which recognises “brave people who have stood with Ukraine from the very beginning.”
His name will feature next to the list of many world leaders who have helped Ukraine during the conflict. A post on Zelensky’s Instagram page read: “American actor and film director Sean Penn @seanpenn came to Ukraine for the third time during the full-scale war already. It was with great pleasure that I presented Sean Penn with the Order of Merit of the III degree. Thank you for such sincere support and significant contribution to the popularization of Ukraine in the world.”
Penn fled Ukraine in March while filming a documentary about the conflict. The presentations come as the actor is due to be honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award by the Television Academy. He Penn, who has been in and out of Ukraine while making a documentary about the ongoing Russian invasion, appeared on Fox News programme Hannity last week.
“I’ve never felt this way about Ukraine or about where our country is, and what I experienced emotionally in Ukraine,” he told host Sean Hannity. “We all talk about how divided things are here, but when you step into a country of such incredible unity, you realize what we’ve all been missing. These people are fighting for the very dreams that are the aspirations of all of us Americans.”
He is due to be recognised for his “decades of activism” at the organization’s 26th Hall of Fame next week on November 16.
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