The Ukrainian presidency announced on Thursday February 24 that American actor and director Sean Penn is in Kiev where he is shooting a documentary on the invasion launched by Russia.
Sean Penn was pictured among attendees of a government press conference in Kyiv and can be seen meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video posted on the Ukrainian head of state’s Instagram account.
” The director came to Kyiv especially to record all the events taking place in Ukraine and as a documentary filmmaker to tell the world the truth about Russia’s invasion of our country “says a message written in Ukrainian on the Facebook page of the presidential services.
” Today, Sean Penn is among those who support Ukraine by being in Ukraine. Our country is grateful to him for such a display of courage and honesty. “, adds this message. The services of Mr. Zelensky add that the American artist shows courage ” which many others, especially Western politicians, lack “.
Sean Penn had already visited Ukraine last November and had met with the military. The 61-year-old actor won two Oscars – for Harvey Milk and Mystic River – is shooting a documentary for Vice Studios, according to NBC News. Asked by AFP, neither Vice nor representatives of Sean Penn had reacted Thursday afternoon.
His visit to Kiev coincides with the launch by the Russian army of a large-scale military operation in Ukrainian territory, with the firing of shells and missiles near many towns in the country, with fighting at the gates of the capital. Sean Penn has in the past caused controversy with his political engagements or in current affairs, especially after his interview with the Mexican drug kingpin, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, while he was on the run.