Marie Gicquel, edited by Gauthier Delomez
On the sidelines of an interview with Volodymyr Zelensky by several French media, actor Alain Delon also spoke with the Ukrainian president. The two men expressed their shared respect for each other, and the French comedian expressed his support for the one leading the Ukrainian resistance.
A surprising exchange. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited French actor Alain Delon to discuss with him, on the sidelines of an exclusive interview granted to several French media. This was broadcast by TV5 Monde, and the two men discussed at a distance, Zelensky being in videoconference. “I’ve never been such a great actor as you are,” said the head of state of Ukraine, who had a career as an actor. “I will never be a president as generous as you, as deserving as you,” replied the legend of French cinema.
“You don’t deserve everything you’re going through,” Delon tells Zelensky
The Ukrainian president wishes to underline the major role that celebrities can play in the conflict. “It’s very important for us today when famous people get involved. They can really help because the word is a weapon, and sometimes it hits harder than a real weapon on the battlefield”, illustrates Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Please, it’s completely normal. It’s the minimum I can do,” reacts Alain Delon. “If I could do more than that, I would,” adds the 86-year-old comedian, who notably starred in Borsalino. “You don’t deserve everything you’re going through, you don’t deserve what Ukraine is going through right now, and what your people are going through, this people who are dying, of their children who are dying. It really disgusts me,” insists the actor, who is becoming more and more discreet in the media. At the end of the exchange, Volodymyr Zelensky invited him to come to kyiv. Alain Delon said yes, but when he will need less canes to move around.