The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned Woody Allen for speaking at a Russian film festival, calling his participation in the event “a disgrace and an insult” to the victims of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Allen reportedly praised Russian cinema during his virtual appearance at this year's Moscow International Film Week, and said he would like to make a movie in Russia if he had an opportunity. Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned his participation.

Woody Allen said that while he believed the war in Ukraine was “appalling”, his participation in a Russian film festival was not insulting to the victims of the raging conflict. He was responding after the Ukrainian foreign ministry condemned his appearance as a “disgrace”.