“When you win, bring it back to Malibu”: Sean Penn loans Oscar to Ukraine
<p dir="ltr">Actor Sean Penn has shown his support for Ukraine in its war with Russia by loaning one of his two Oscars to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, telling him it could stay on one condition: “When you win, bring it back to Malibu”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A video of the encounter between Zelenskyy and Penn, who is making a documentary about the Russian invasion, was shared by Zelenskyy’s office online and described the gift as “a symbol of faith in the victory of our country”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“It will be in Ukraine until the end of the war.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">During his most recent visit to Ukraine, Penn told Zelenskyy that every time he leaves he feels “like a traitor”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“But if I know this is here with you then I will feel better and stronger for the fights,” he said before presenting the leader with his award.</p>
<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8089cf48-7fff-1c78-0b94-e0072bc02a66"></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">“When you win, bring it back to Malibu. Because I feel much better knowing there is a piece of me here.”</p>
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<p dir="ltr">After initially hesitating, Zelenskyy accepted the statue and quipped: “We have to win, quick.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Wednesday’s meeting, which marked Penn’s third visit to Ukraine since the invasion began, also saw the actor accept an award from Zelenskyy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The <em>Mystic River</em> star was presented with the Ukrainian Order of Merit of the third degree, which is given to citizens for outstanding achievements in economics, science, culture or military or political activity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“It was with great pleasure that I presented Sean Penn with the Order of Merit of the III degree,” the caption of the clip shared on Zelenskyy’s official Instagram read.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Thank you for such sincere support and significant contribution to the popularization (sic) of Ukraine in the world!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">The video also showed the pair walking around Kyiv and arriving at Constitution Square where there is a “Walk of the Brave” - a walkway lined with plaques for world leaders who have supported Ukraine.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Penn also has a plaque laid on the ground along the walkway, engraved with his name and the date February 24, 2022, which was the start of the invasion, as Penn was one of the first people to visit Ukraine after Russian troops moved in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Pointing to the plaque, Penn said there were three sources of pride for him in the world.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The place where my daughter was born, the place where my son was born and this. Thank you,” he said.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e58f0d92-7fff-56d3-d8c3-2674483699ac"></span></p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>
