KYIV: More than 30 stars including Julia Roberts, Barbra Streisand and Matt Damon on Friday sent their “love” and prayers to Ukraine in a video marking the anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
In the video recorded to coincide with the anniversary of Europe’s largest conflict since World War II one of the most recognizable names in the world said they stood by Ukraine.
“We are thinking of you, sending love, sending our strength, our prayers and holding you in our hearts, always,” Oscar winner Roberts said.
Damon said he was sending a message of “love and respect and solidarity with all our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine.”
Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, actor Liev Schreiber said: “This was an act of unprovoked aggression by a country 30 times larger than its victim.”
Singer and actress Barbra Streisand said Ukraine would be supported for “as long as necessary.”
“You have been an inspiration worldwide,” she said.
Ethan Hawke added: “You are fighting for all of us.”
Mark Hamill, known for playing Luke Skywalker, reprised his iconic Star Wars phrase, saying: “And the force will be with you, always.”
The video also included messages of support from actor Morgan Freeman, astronaut Scot Kelly, filmmaker Wes Anderson and the Pet Shop Boys, a British pop duo.
In a message on Facebook, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said world stars were on Ukraine’s side.
“Thank you for these words of support! They are really important to us,” he wrote.
A year ago to the day, Putin shocked the world by sending troops across the border, a move seen as punishment for Kyiv’s pivot to the West.
The war has devastated swathes of Ukraine, displaced millions, turned Russia into a pariah in the West and, according to Western sources, caused more than 150,000 casualties on each side.
World stars send ‘love’ to war-torn Ukraine
https://arab.news/jjd8s
World stars send ‘love’ to war-torn Ukraine
- "We are thinking of you, sending love, sending our strength, our prayers and holding you in our hearts, always," Oscar winner Roberts said
- Damon said he was sending a message of "love and respect and solidarity with all our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine"
Trump removes nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial positions
- All of them had taken up their posts in the Biden administration but had survived an initial purge in the early months of Trump’s second term that targeted mainly political appointees
- Africa is the continent most affected by the removals, with ambassadors from 13 countries being removed: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts as it moves to reshape the US diplomatic posture abroad with personnel deemed fully supportive of President Donald Trump’s “America First” priorities.
The chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were informed last week that their tenures would end in January, according to two State Department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal personnel moves.
All of them had taken up their posts in the Biden administration but had survived an initial purge in the early months of Trump’s second term that targeted mainly political appointees. That changed on Wednesday when they began to receive notices from officials in Washington about their imminent departures.
Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president although they typically remain at their posts for three to four years. Those affected by the shake-up are not losing their foreign service jobs but will be returning to Washington for other assignments should they wish to take them, the officials said.
The State Department declined to comment on specific numbers or ambassadors affected, but defended the changes, calling them “a standard process in any administration.” It noted that an ambassador is “a personal representative of the president and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda.”
Africa is the continent most affected by the removals, with ambassadors from 13 countries being removed: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.
Second is Asia, with ambassadorial changes coming to six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam affected.
Four countries in Europe (Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia) are affected; as are two each in the Middle East (Algeria and Egypt); South and Central Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka); and the Western Hemisphere (Guatemala and Suriname).
Politico was the first to report on the ambassadorial recalls, which have drawn concern from some lawmakers and the union representing American diplomats.
