In a recent interview with Jimmy Kimmel, actor Sean Penn shared his thoughts on meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. The conversation took place against the backdrop of increasing tensions in Eastern Europe.
Penn recollected how the two crossed paths back in 2001 during the Moscow International Film Festival, where they shared dinner along with around 20 other guests, including actor Jack Nicholson.
Reflecting on that meeting, Penn remarked, “It was just a couple of weeks after then-President Bush expressed his trust in Putin’s character. I must admit, I fell for it too.” This moment was recounted during the Thursday episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
“Initially, I thought there was something authentic about him,” he continued, but after witnessing over three years of conflict in Ukraine, his perspective on the Russian leader has notably shifted.
“Now we realize Putin is capable of unspeakable acts, like seizing thousands of children and causing immense suffering, yet our response as a nation seems fragmented, preventing us from effectively standing against him,” Penn expressed.
This isn’t the first time Penn has voiced his concern; he recently highlighted his commitment to addressing Russian actions in Eastern Europe through a documentary on the Ukraine war he produced in 2023.
“The ongoing crisis instigated by Russia isn’t something we can just overlook in the midst of scandal and strife,” he stated in a prior appearance on NewsNation’s “Cuomo” episode.
He emphasized the dire situation, sharing, “Many are losing their lives on the frontline while they fight for the very principle we cherish: freedom — something truly uniting for all of us.”
While recent weeks have seen repeated Russian airstrikes on Kyiv, with even a drone incursion into Polish airspace, NATO leaders are currently evaluating their strategic response to these provocations.
Last August, there was a notable encounter between President Trump and Putin in Alaska, where they both came away expressing optimism about a potential ceasefire, but civilian casualties in Ukraine have sadly continued to escalate.
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