Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly thanked Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn for his unwavering support, calling him a "true friend of Ukraine" in a heartfelt social media post. The tribute came just one day after Penn won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in One Battle After Another but was notably absent from the ceremony.
Zelenskyy shared a photo of himself with Penn, praising the actor for standing with Ukraine "since the first day of the full-scale war" and expressing confidence that his support would continue. Reports suggest Penn skipped the Oscars to visit Ukraine, though neither party has officially confirmed the reason for his absence.
Sean Penn and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November 2022. Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty
The friendship between Penn and Zelenskyy dates back years, highlighted by their collaboration on the 2023 documentary Superpower, which chronicled Zelenskyy's rise to power and leadership during the war with Russia. Penn has been vocal about his activism, recently speaking at the Lumiere Film Festival in Lyon, France, where he reflected on his humanitarian work and filmmaking as interconnected pursuits.
At the Oscars, last year's winner Kieran Culkin presented Penn's award, humorously noting that Penn "couldn't be here this evening, or didn't want to." According to The New York Times, Penn was reportedly in Ukraine during the ceremony, though details remain unconfirmed.
Sean Penn at a public event in 2025. Getty Images
Penn's dedication to Ukraine underscores a growing trend of celebrities using their platforms for global causes, blending entertainment with activism in meaningful ways.
