Actor and documentary filmmaker Sean Penn appeared on Hannity Tuesday to detail his time spent on the ground in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Penn, who had previously been there last time to film a documentary about the Ukraine-Russia conflict, also oversaw detailed relief efforts through his non-profit organization.
The lengthy discussion between the two scenes, which didn't see much of each other, was respectful, with Penn admitting from the start that despite his reservations about Hannity's trustworthiness, he could reach a lot of viewers with what he had to say. .
At the beginning of the interview, Hannity questions Penn about his encounter with President Volodymyr Zelensky as the war was taking shape. "Did he see it coming? Did he believe it was real?" Fox News host asked.
Penn explained that after a COVID-related delay, shooting for the documentary began in November, at which point "we went to Mariupol on the front lines." As Russia continued to mass troops along its border, Penn said it was difficult for the administration to gain access. When February came, "then this thing really escalated."
Penn explained: "Then we went - I think we got there about a week before the attack, and we met him. I first met him face-to-face the day before the attack, and then spent time with him." , which we document in the movie during the invasion - the day of the invasion. I don't know that there is anyone on earth who could know that they were born for such a day, that they could rise to that day. So I saw-"
At this point Hannity asked Penn to clarify when the meeting took place, to which Penn replied that it was at the same time that Russian forces were attacking Hostomel Airport, about 20 miles outside of Kyiv. . (Ukrainian resistance there proved to be strong enough, and the landing strips were too damaged for Russian military use.)
Resume pen:
"So - in [Zelensky] I saw something that I have never seen before in my lifetime - looking at him like I said, yes, prepared for it. Yes, the opposite of expectation that it will not happen. But a man What hadn't been challenged yet: 'It's happening.'"
Penn recalled, "The next day I saw ... you all see and talk in Ukrainian, whether they are in uniform, in uniform, school teachers, even. to have children too." “This extraordinary courage that has come to the fore. was in his eyes. And it is clear to me that the Ukrainians will win it. The question is at what cost."
Zelensky, who has accused Russia of "genocide" in his country, recently visited the newly liberated city of Bucha, where scenes of the brutal and gruesome consequences of the war abound.