Celebrities have been making headlines for their visits to Ukraine and not all of the responses are positive.
In June, the country’s department of defense expressed its appreciation for the American celebrities that have visited amid Russia’s invasion.
“[Ukraine] is grateful to Hollywood stars who, despite the danger, have visited us. [Sean Penn], [Liev Schreiber], Angelina Jolie, [Ben Stiller] you are more than just an inspiration to all of us,” the department tweeted.
The statement continues, “Millions around the world have heard the truth from you about the struggle of the [Ukrainian] people.”
🇺🇦 is grateful to Hollywood stars who, despite the danger, have visited us. @SeanPenn,@LievSchreiber, Angelina Jolie,@BenStiller you are more than just an inspiration to all of us. Millions around the world have heard the truth from you about the struggle of the 🇺🇦 people. pic.twitter.com/ip0h4GQrBW
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 20, 2022
A video of Stiller meeting Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy made the rounds on social media.
“You’re my hero,” Stiller said to Zelenskeyy. “What you’ve done and the way that you’ve rallied the country and for the world, it’s really inspiring.”
In case you missed it:
"You're my hero," Actor Ben Stiller tells Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy on Monday. Stiller met with Zelenskyy during a trip that included a stop in Irpin, the scene of heavy fighting early in the Russian invasion. pic.twitter.com/Z4Knospbv0
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 20, 2022
Additionally, actress Jessica Chastain posed for a photo with Zelenskyy.
Hollywood star Jessica Chastain visited Kyiv to support Ukraine in the war unleashed by Russia. She visited children from Kherson and Chernihiv who are undergoing treatment in Kyiv's Okhmatdyt cjildren's hospital, and also met with President Zelenskyy.
— The New Voice of Ukraine (@NewVoiceUkraine) August 8, 2022
Photo: ОПУ / Facebook pic.twitter.com/MMN7pnQsC4
In May, Angelina Jolie visited the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Maksym Kozytskyy, the Lviv regional governor, said Jolie met with people of Ukraine that have found refuge there, as NPR reported.
She also met with children that suffered injuries in a missile strike.
“She was very moved by (the children’s) stories,” Kozytskyy said.
Angelina Jolie meets children, volunteers in Lviv Oblast on April 30.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 30, 2022
Jolie visited injured children evacuated from Donetsk Oblast and orphans. She also met volunteers who provide medical and psychological help to Ukrainian evacuees.
Source: Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytsky pic.twitter.com/RAp9OIZSIY
Users have recently taken to Twitter to express their frustration with celebrities that have visited the country.
Do American dollars pay for celebrity photo ops in Ukraine?
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) August 8, 2022
I don't fault Zelensky for accepting famous photo ops to keep what's happening in Ukraine on the front page, but it certainly is starting to look like celebs are using him as their new celebrity safari photo op. My latest for @TheSpectator https://t.co/3vk2wRgU5u
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) August 9, 2022
How many B- and C-list celebrities have done this by now? Have they done a lick of good for Ukraine, as opposed to their own reputations? https://t.co/VZjmsMVpul
— Kelly Jane Torrance (@KJTorrance) August 8, 2022
https://twitter.com/nicktothecore74/status/1556685699809742850
I honestly don't know all the ins and outs of this whole Russia/Ukraine war….but what I do know is that this guy spends a ton of time with celebrities and doing Vogue photo shoots. Also, why are all these celebrities so willing to going into a hot war zone. It's all very weird. https://t.co/77CQVGlYmr
— ⚜️ David Hoyt 🌵 (@dhoytinaz) August 8, 2022
The #Ukraine crisis is 'so bad' celebrities & politicians are taking tours & selfies. https://t.co/SIZXFgRyFJ
— Mr. Bat-man 🇨🇦 (@KnightWing19) August 8, 2022
This is where the billions are going? Why is it that “celebrity” posers are going to Ukraine and taking time with this guy, away from his “high stress job” of war time with Russia? This tells me things are not as they seem https://t.co/XIhc1IZZ1r
— 𝕃𝕦𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕊𝕙𝕚𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕣 (@IamNatashaCall) August 8, 2022
These brave celebrities all braving a war zone for a photo op with Z. All of Ukraine is under attack and they need you to send more $$. https://t.co/1BRj0sZrMk
— maggie (@Maggie2Scott) August 8, 2022
Last week, the Biden administration approved a $1 billion security assistance package for Ukraine.
The package brings the United States’ aid to Ukraine to $9.8 billion.
“We will continue to consult closely with Ukraine and surge additional available systems and capabilities carefully calibrated to make a difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s eventual position at the negotiating table,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
