Ukraine Condemns Woody Allen for Moscow Film Week Participation

American filmmaker Woody Allen faced strong condemnation from Ukraine's Foreign Ministry for his virtual participation in the Moscow International Film Week, an event linked to Russian officials and supporters of President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine described Allen's involvement as a disgrace and an insult to Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have suffered due to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, accusing him of whitewashing Russian crimes and ignoring the atrocities committed since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 full-scale invasion. During the festival, Allen praised Russian cinema and expressed openness to making a film in Russia, though he has not received any offers. The Ukrainian government emphasized that culture should not be used to propagate or justify violence and condemned the use of cultural events to legitimize Russia's actions. Allen's appearance, moderated by pro-Putin director Fyodor Bondarchuk, sparked outrage amid broader Western efforts to isolate Russia culturally and politically, efforts that have been less prominent under President Donald Trump's administration, which seeks to normalize relations with Moscow. Despite the backlash, Allen has not publicly responded to the criticism.