Woody Allen responds to Ukraine’s condemnation of his participation in Moscow film festival

American film director Woody Allen has responded to the Ukrainian government’s condemnation of his participation in Moscow International Film Week last weekend, NBC News reports.

“When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong,” Allen said in a statement to the Associated Press. “The war he has caused is appalling. But, whatever politicians have done, I don’t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.”

On Monday, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister called Allen’s decision to take part in the event “a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals in their ongoing war against Ukraine.”

Allen was a headline speaker at the Moscow event, taking part in a Q&A session by video link on Sunday that was moderated by pro-Kremlin director Fyodor Bondarchuk.