Sean Penn gave one of his Oscars to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his efforts in resisting the Russian Invasion.
In late February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Russian troops crossing the border and occupying Ukrainian territory. The Russian government stated that the invasion was in response to what it claimed were threats to the rights of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers living in Ukraine.
The invasion was preceded by several weeks of military buildup and increased tensions between the two countries. Russia had been amassing troops and military equipment near the Ukrainian border for several weeks before launching the invasion.
The invasion sparked international condemnation, with many countries calling on Russia to withdraw its troops and respect Ukraine's territorial integrity. The United States and its allies, including NATO, imposed economic sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has a long history, dating back to the Soviet era. Since Ukraine gained independence in 1991, there have been several instances of conflict and tension between the two countries. The most recent conflict began in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, a Ukrainian territory, and backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.
The conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and has caused significant damage to the region's infrastructure. The recent invasion has only intensified the conflict and brought even greater instability to the region.
Who is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy?
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the current President of Ukraine and he was elected in April 2019, winning a landslide victory over the incumbent President, Petro Poroshenko. Zelenskyy is a former comedian and television producer, and his election marked a significant change in Ukrainian politics, as he had no prior political experience.
Zelenskyy was born in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, in 1978 and grew up in a Russian-speaking family. He studied law at university and worked as a lawyer for several years before transitioning to a career in entertainment. He gained national recognition as the creator and star of the television series "Servant of the People," in which he played a high school teacher who becomes President of Ukraine after a video of him ranting against corruption goes viral.
As President, Zelenskyy has focused on tackling corruption, improving the economy, and ending the conflict with Russia in eastern Ukraine. He has also pursued closer ties with the European Union and has sought to strengthen Ukraine's relationship with NATO.
Zelenskyy's presidency has been marked by a number of challenges, including the ongoing conflict with Russia and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he has maintained high approval ratings among the Ukrainian public and remains a prominent figure in Ukrainian politics.
Why did Sean Penn gave his Oscar to The President?
Actor Sean Penn is making a documentary in Ukraine about the Russian Invasion of the mainland and has collaborated with Vice Studios to film the documentary. Penn gave the president one of his Oscars as a symbol of bravery and fighting during the most challenging times in the history of Ukraine, as the country fights a full-scale invasion of Russia. Penn said himself said that it’s quite a remarkable and symbolic thing actually, he further asked the President to return the Oscar back to his home in Malibu when Ukraine prevails over Russia’s Invasion.
Penn won two Oscars for his roles in the films Mystic River which directed by Clint Eastwood and Milk, where he played a Gay activist and politician, Harvey Milk. The actor also himself received an honor from the President, he received a plaque on the Walk of the Brave as it honors the people who have stood with Ukraine since the very beginning.
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