Volodymyr Zelensky: Last News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has travelled to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsula’s annexation from Ukraine.

America may be deeply divided, but politics and the culture wars will not be center stage at this year’s Oscars if the organizers have their way.

Tatiana Siegel For the past year, Volodymyr Zelensky has been greeted with open arms by awards shows, film festivals and even the New York Stock Exchange. But when it comes to landing airtime on the most coveted telecast of all — the Oscars — the Ukrainian leader is being met with a cold shoulder. For the second year in a row, the Academy has snubbed Zelensky, who was hoping to follow up his Berlin Film Festival (remote) appearance last month with a virtual spot on Sunday’s Oscar telecast on ABC. Sources say WME power agent Mike Simpson made a plea to the Academy to include the comedic actor-turned-politician but was shut down. The Academy declined comment. 

A Ukrainian expatriate group disseminated to press an open letter addressed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, questioning whether Top Gun: Maverick should be allowed to remain in this year’s Oscar race following reports the film was partly funded by a Russian oligarch who put money in the film as a silent investor in LA-based New Republic Pictures.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine and, like many people around the world, he felt helpless at the images of people fleeing their homes.“The world felt like it was in a new place that it hadn’t been in decades,” the three-time Grammy winner recalls.On Friday, the one-year anniversary of the war’s start, Paisley is releasing a new song called “Same Here,” featuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking proudly about his country and people.The song is Paisley’s first from his new record, “Son of the Mountains,” to be released later this year on Universal Music Group Nashville.The West Virginia native wrote the song with Lee Thomas Miller (co-writer on Paisley hits “The World” and “Perfect Storm”) and Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith. It’s a three-part narrative that reflects on universal similarities, despite distance and language.While it doesn’t mention Ukraine specifically, the song ends with Paisley and Zelenskyy in conversation, recorded during a video call.

Just after 5 AM ET on Monday, networks started to break in to regular programming for special reports that President Joe Biden had made a surprise trip to Ukraine.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Matt Damon revealed he was in the “early stages” on a project about Ukraine during the press conference for “Kiss the Future” at the Berlin Film Festival. Damon is a producer on the documentary which chronicles the struggle of Sarajevo citizens during the Bosnian War. World premiering in the Berlinale Special section, the politically minded documentary is directed by Nenad Cicin-Sain and based on “Fools Rush in: A Memoir” the memoir of Bill Carter, an aid worker. It shows how his determination resulted in the enlistment of the world’s largest rock band, U2, to help shine a light. Fifth Season and WME handling worldwide sales. Asked if he was considering following the footsteps of Sean Penn with “Superpower” with a film on the war in Ukraine, he said he’s “watched as everyone has with horror that unfolded there in the last year,” and although they “don’t have anything on it right now there isn’t any doubt that we’ll be doing.”

Sean Penn has reiterated his offer to have one of his Oscars melted down by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky – saying his gift to the battling leader was inspired by his “continuing shame towards the Motion Picture Academy.”

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Anne Hathaway and Kristen Stewart delivered a dose of major glamour on the red carpet on Thursday as the Berlin Film Festival returned to full-scale, in-person operation for the first time since 2020. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky revived Berlin’s role as a political platform.   The Hollywood stars were greeted by packed crowds outside the Berlinale Palast and by festival co-heads Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian.

Malina Saval Associate Editor, Features Sean Penn went to war and a movie broke out. That is, in effect, the story behind the making of the documentary “Superpower,” a gripping cinematic portrait of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on the eve of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  Co-directed by Penn and Aaron Kaufman, who helmed the 2021 documentary “Crusaders: Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses Speak Out,” “Superpower” bows Feb. 17, out of competition, as a Berlinale Special Gala at the Berlin Film Festival. Fifth Season and Vice Studios are behind the film, with Fifth Season selling worldwide rights. “Superpower” was not conceived as a war story. Rather, Penn and Kaufman, as well as producer Billy Smith, endeavored to chart the trajectory of Zelensky’s unusual career trajectory — from actor-comedian-producer playing a history teacher elected as Ukraine’s president in the satirical TV series “Servant of the People,” to a rising political star elected as the real-life president of Ukraine in 2019. The intent was to relay a tale about an everyman — in Zelensky’s case, a Ukrainian, Russian-speaking Jew born under Soviet rule in the late 1970s — who finds himself at the helm of a fledgling democratic nation burning to embrace freedom. A Ukrainian president elected on an anti-corruption platform who, very soon post-election, finds himself in the crosshairs of an American president’s impeachment. 

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, paid a historic visit to the UK on Wednesday — and surprised a compatriot with a hug during an impromptu moment during a press conference.

Mediaset CEO Pier Silvio Berlusconi has given his verdict on an upcoming video appearance by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Italy’s iconic Sanremo song festival, adding fuel to an ongoing political debate around the operation.

The Oscars declined to give a platform to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last year, but the Golden Globes made up for it tonight, offering him an opportunity to speak directly to an American and world audience.

Judy Woodruff will step away from the PBS NewsHour anchor desk on Friday, ending a chapter as one of the most trusted and well respected figures helming a newscast.

David Letterman is enjoying a Caribbean vacation for the holiday season, escaping the cold temperatures of his home in New York. The 75-year-old comedian was spotted hiking around the island paradise Friday which boasts some of the best beaches in the world. The Worldwide Pants founder looked comfortable in a white T-shirt, blue short and orange sneakers and yellow framed sunglasses.  Caribbean holiday: David Letterman is enjoying a Caribbean vacation for the holiday season. The 75-year-old comedian was spotted hiking around the island paradise Friday His gray hair was close cropped and his full beard appeared nicely trimmed.

UPDATE: During a photo op in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a medal to Joe Biden that an Army officer wanted to give to the U.S. president as a thank you.

Time has selected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “and the spirit of Ukraine” as its Person of the Year.

Sir Rod Stewart paid an emotional tribute to Ukraine during his concert at the OVO Hydro. Images of the war-torn country were shown on a huge screen at the back of the stage as the star sang Rhythm of My Heart during his two-hour set.

Rishi Sunak showed his support to President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Ukraine today.

Fifth Season, the company formerly known as Endeavor Content, is bulking up its non-scripted and documentary business.

Sean Penn enjoyed a cigarette next to a 'NO SMOKING' sign at LAX in Los Angeles on Thursday.The two-time Academy Award winner, 62, returned from the war-torn country looking rugged and ripped in a white T-shirt and dark gray jeans. This comes after he loaned one of his two Best Actor Oscars to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, 44, in the Ukraine. Rebel with a cause: Sean Penn, 62, enjoyed a cigarette next to a 'NO SMOKING' sign at LAX on ThursdayWith his vascular muscles straining each sleeve, the actor carried a pair of large backpacks and a Carhartt utility jacket. Penn's durable look was accentuated by his chiseled features and facial scruff, which was cropped into a dark mustache and matching goatee.  The sides of his full head of hair were dappled with gray while designer shades casually hung from his neckline. Setting down his bags and leaning back against the wall, the Dead Man Walking star took out a cigarette and lit up next to the 'NO SMOKING' sign. Penn didn't seem to be aware that he was breaking the rules and savored a few drags beside the sign before moving on.  Rugged and ripped: With his vascular muscles straining each sleeve, the Oscar Winner carried a pair of large backpacks and a Carhartt utility jacket.