Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky – who is a former actor himself – in talks to speak at the Academy Awards this weekend
- Zelensky could briefly appear at Oscars – via a live broadcast or taped message
- But sources are concerned about the Awards becoming politicised, given the current war raging between Russia and Ukraine
- ABC, which is broadcasting the show, is understood to be in support of Zelensky making a statement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been in talks with the Academy Awards to speak during Sunday’s ceremony.
Zelensky, himself a former actor, could briefly appear at the Oscars – either via a live broadcast or taped message, according to the New York Post.
However, sources are concerned about the Oscars becoming politicised, given the current war raging between Russia and Ukraine.
ABC, which is broadcasting the show, is understood to be in support of Zelensky making a statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been in talks with the Academy Awards to speak during Sunday’s ceremony
Zelensky, himself a former actor, could briefly appear at the Oscars – either via a live broadcast or taped message
During his career as an actor, Zelensky starred in the TV show Servant Of The People, where he played a history teacher who is unintentionally elected as the president, after a video of his character giving an anti-corruption rant goes viral.
News of the 44-year-old leader potentially making an appearance comes a week after Oscars co-host Amy Schumer declared she is ‘not afraid to go there’ when it comes to addressing the tragic war at this year’s Academy Awards.
She told Drew Barrymore on her daytime talk show that she actually ‘pitched’ to the team producing the telecast the idea of having Zelensky ‘satellite in or make a tape’.
The 40-year-old comedy star will helm the 94th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 27 alongside Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes.
Earlier this week, Zelensky lauded Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher for raising roughly $35million to support refugees fleeing war-torn Ukraine.
During his career as an actor, Zelensky starred in the TV show Servant Of The People (above), where he played a history teacher who is unintentionally elected as the president, after a video of his character giving an anti-corruption rant goes viral
Earlier this week, Zelensky lauded Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher for raising roughly $35million to support refugees fleeing war-torn Ukraine. (Above, Zelensky talking to the celebrity couple)
It is believed that Kunis will make a statement during the awards show.
Zelensky had a video call with the celebrity couple on Sunday to discuss their work, as the number of Ukrainian refugees surged past 3.2 million, according to the most recent United Nations data.
Kutcher, 44, and Kunis, 38, who was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, launched a GoFundMe on March 3 to fund San Francisco-based companies Flexport and Airbnb.
Flexport is a freight transportation company bringing supplies to refugees across Europe and Airbnb is providing them with free, short-term housing.
Actor Alfred Molina and screenwriter Jennifer Lee attend the 12th Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles on Friday