2024.04.13 03:00
Sean Penn has given Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky his Oscar, telling him to bring it back to Malibu when his nation emerges victorious from the war with Russia.
The actor and director, 62, has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since war broke out in February and had already travelled to Kyiv twice this year prior to today's trip.
Returning to the Ukrainian capital to see Zelensky, whom he earlier referred to as his 'great friend', Penn was filmed withdrawing one of his Academy Awards from a bag and placing it on the Ukrainian president's desk.
'This is for you,' the actor told Zelensky.
'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...
'When you win, bring it back to Malibu. I'll feel much better knowing a piece of me is here,' he concluded.
Zelensky, who prior to his entry into politics was a well-known actor and comedian, was clearly flattered and gratefully accepted the Oscar statuette, describing it as a 'great honour'.
He was later seen carefully placing the golden trophy on the mantelpiece in his presidential office.
Zelensky in turn presented Penn with a Ukrainian Order of Merit to thank him 'for his sincere support and significant contribution to the popularisation of Ukraine in the world'.