AceShowbiz - Sean Penn was notably absent from the Academy Awards ceremony where he won the Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of the military colonel Steven J. Lockjaw in One Battle After Another. Instead of attending the Hollywood event, Penn chose to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr ZelenskyVolodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

The Ukrainian president shared a photo of the two together on X, expressing deep gratitude for Penn’s unwavering support. "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," Zelensky wrote.

Penn has spent considerable time in Ukraine following the Russian invasion in 2022. In recognition of his dedication, Ukraine’s national railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, presented Penn with a special Oscar statuette. This unique award was crafted from metal salvaged from a railway car damaged by Russian shelling, symbolizing resilience amidst conflict.

Ukrzaliznytsia acknowledged on X that knowing Penn had missed the Oscars, they decided to create an Oscar of their own to honor his commitment and sacrifice. A video shared by the railway company captured the moment Penn received this meaningful statue.

This is not the first time Penn has connected his acting accolades with Ukraine. Previously, he gifted one of his own Oscars to the country during a visit, telling Zelensky, "When you win, bring it back to Malibu, because I'll feel much better knowing there's a piece of me here."

In addition to his acting career, Penn also co-directed a documentary titled Superpower with Aaron Kaufman in 2023. The film focuses on Ukraine and Zelensky amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Sean Penn’s decision to prioritize his solidarity with Ukraine over attending the Oscars highlights his deep involvement in the region’s struggles and his commitment to raising awareness through both activism and art.