"Woody Allen chooses to turn a blind eye to the atrocities Russia commits in Ukraine every single day for 11 years now" — Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

American director appeared at the Moscow International Cinema Week via video link this weekend.

Meanwhile, Russia's war has killed at least 219 Ukrainian artists since 2022, according to the Ministry of Culture.

Allen told the audience he had watched the nearly seven-hour Russian film "War and Peace" in a single day and detailed his three previous visits to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

He joined a festival lineup that included Serbian director Emir Kusturica, who openly supports Putin's war in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned Allen's participation, declaring "Culture should never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool."
https://x.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1959958468665692393

Woody Allen’s participation in the Moscow International Film Week is a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals in their ongoing war against Ukraine.

By taking part in a festival that brings together Putin’s supporters and voices, Allen chooses to turn a blind eye to the atrocities Russia commits in Ukraine every single day for 11 years now.

Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool. We strongly condemn Woody Allen’s decision to bless Moscow’s bloody festival with his address.

#NoStageForRussia
https://x.com/MFA_Ukraine/status/1959893158466060470