Kiev slams Woody Allen over Moscow movie fest

The Hollywood legend has made a virtual appearance at a Russian cinema event

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has blasted US filmmaker Woody Allen for participating in a Russian cinema event, calling his involvement an insult to Ukrainian movie professionals.

The 89-year-old film director appeared via videolink on Sunday at the Moscow International Film Week, where he spoke about his career and ties to Russia.

Kiev condemned the participation, describing it on Monday as “a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers” affected by the conflict. The ministry said Allen’s remarks amounted to ignoring what it alleged to be Russian crimes over the past decade.

Kiev and its Western backers have also sought to isolate Russia on multiple fronts, including by discouraging participation in local cultural events. They claimed such involvement served to support Moscow’s actions. The campaign has largely failed.

Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has effectively abandoned efforts launched under his predecessor to marginalize Russia. Instead, his administration is focused on seeking a resolution to the Ukraine conflict and normalizing relations with Moscow.

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