Sean Penn skipped Oscars to meet Ukraine’s President; Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, 'We know you will continue to stand with our country'

Sean Penn skipped Oscars to meet Ukraine’s President; Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, 'We know you will continue to stand with our country'

• Sean Penn skipped Oscars to meet Ukraine's President Zelenskyy
• Penn won Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another
• Zelenskyy praised Penn's ongoing support for Ukraine

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Actor Sean Penn made a striking choice at the Academy Awards 2026, opting to forgo attending the ceremony despite winning Best Supporting Actor. Instead he travelled to Ukraine for a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Sean Penn received the Oscar for his performance in One Battle After Another, but was notably absent from the event. During the live broadcast, the award was accepted on his behalf, with presenter Kieran Culkin remarking that Sean “couldn’t be here this evening — or didn’t want to,” drawing attention to the actor’s absence.

Shortly after, images from Sean Penn’s visit to Ukraine surfaced online. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed deep appreciation for Sean’s continued support during the ongoing conflict. “Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is,” Zelenskyy wrote. “You have stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war. This is still true today. And we know that you will continue to stand with our country and our people."

Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is. You have stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale war. This is still true today. And we know that you will continue to stand with our country and our people. pic.twitter.com/wGneO1rqJI

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 16, 2026

Sean Penn has remained closely engaged with Ukraine since the early days of the war, using his platform to amplify the country’s struggles and resilience. He co-directed the documentary Superpower, which focuses on Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s wartime experience.

Sean Penn’s absence from the Oscars also aligns with his pattern of selective participation in awards ceremonies. Earlier this year, he chose to skip several major events despite receiving critical acclaim for his performance.

In a gesture underscoring his support, Sean Penn had earlier loaned one of his Oscars to Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022.

His latest win represents a major milestone in his career. With three acting Oscars to his name, Sean Penn now joins an elite league that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Jack Nicholson and Walter Brennan. He had previously won Best Actor for his performances in Mystic River and Milk. Among actors, Katharine Hepburn continues to hold the all-time record with four Academy Awards.

In a gesture underscoring his support, Sean Penn had earlier loaned one of his Oscars to Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022.