Sean Penn said the US has to accept “a level of shame” for not helping Ukraine with weapons supplies quicker at the premiere of his documentary about president Voldoymyr Zelenskiy and the war in Berlin.
Speaking after the screening on Friday night, the Hollywood A-lister, said he believed the war in Ukraine was one that the west cannot ultimately afford to see Kyiv lose, an argument that underpins the new film, Superpower.
“If you imagine what it is if Russia wins, we are all fucked. Just dead fucked,” Penn said. “We are already as Americans, I can say, we are having to take on board a level of shame for not having scaled up sooner with the weapons.
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“I think that it’s very clear that, whatever it is going to take to keep US troops out of there [Ukraine], ultimately we will do. And so why not now?”
Penn’s film represents a serious attempt to tell the story of Ukraine and its charismatic leader,…
2023-02-18 07:46:17
Article from www.theguardian.com
In a recent interview, two-time Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn criticized the United States for its delayed arms aid to Ukraine, calling it an “embarrassment” and a “shame.”
Penn, who has become known for his activism and humanitarian work, recently visited Ukraine to discuss and witness the political and humanitarian conflict between government forces and Russian-backed separatists. Speaking to The Associated Press, Penn condemned the U.S. for waiting too long to send arms to Ukraine, which many believe could help in their fight against the separatists.
“It should have been done right away,” Penn said. “We step in too late and that’s an embarrassment, and it should be acknowledged as a shame.”
Penn further argued that the US could have taken measures to prevent the conflict by having a “proactive rather than reactive” policy, in which the US might have helped the Ukraine government restructure their economy and strengthen its military much sooner.
The actor’s comments have brought attention to a major issue facing Ukraine today and underscored the importance of international support for countries in unstable political environments. Penn’s opinion frames the current dilemma, showing the need for a timely response in order to prevent the situation from further escalating in Ukraine.
While some might disagree with Penn’s criticism of the US’s policy, his frankness has shed much-needed light on the heightened conflict and should be respected for its accuracy and substance. Penn’s remarks are yet another example of how citizens of the world are coming together in an effort to foster greater understanding and peace in our world.