“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,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a recent meeting with actor Sean Penn.

Sean Penn, who won his third Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Colonel Lockjaw in One Battle After Another, skipped the 2026 Oscars to meet with Zelenskyy in Ukraine. His absence from the prestigious ceremony was notable, especially as he had previously won at both the BAFTAs and Actor Awards earlier in the season.

During the Oscars, actor Kieran Culkin accepted the award on Penn’s behalf, stating, “Sean Penn couldn’t be here this evening — or didn’t want to, so I’ll be accepting the award on his behalf.” This marked another instance of Penn prioritizing his activism over Hollywood accolades.

Sean Penn has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale war, a commitment that is reflected in his documentary Superpower, which chronicles his encounters with Zelenskyy. His dedication to the cause has made him a prominent figure in the ongoing narrative surrounding Ukraine’s struggle.

In a previous statement, Penn remarked, “I don’t know that I differentiate between getting up in the morning and going to my workshop and building a piece of furniture from going to a movie set and acting or directing a movie, or anything I’ve done working in the NGO space or with the documentary ‘Superpower’.” This illustrates his belief that all his endeavors stem from the same impulse to create and support meaningful causes.

With his latest Oscar win, Penn ties with Daniel Day-Lewis for the most Academy Awards won by an actor, a testament to his talent and versatility in the film industry. His previous wins were for Mystic River in 2004 and Milk in 2009.

Despite his accolades, Penn’s activism remains at the forefront of his identity, as he continues to weigh the risks and benefits of his public engagements. He stated, “You have to weigh risk-benefit on everything – the situation, not oneself.”

As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, Penn’s ongoing support and activism are expected to remain significant. Zelenskyy’s acknowledgment of Penn’s friendship underscores the importance of solidarity during these challenging times.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding Penn’s future projects or further engagements in Ukraine, but his commitment to the cause is clear.