‘Put an end to this war’: Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev makes new plea to Putin
Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev has made a public appeal to President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. His message, delivered after winning the Grand Prix at the Cannes film festival, emphasizes the need to listen to the Russian people. The Kremlin has not responded to his plea, and Zvyagintsev's remarks have sparked criticism from some Ukrainian commentators.
- ▪Andrey Zvyagintsev urged Putin to stop the 'senseless' war in Ukraine during his acceptance speech at Cannes.
- ▪The Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of passing on Zvyagintsev's anti-war message.
- ▪Zvyagintsev's film Minotaur premiered at Cannes and is his first work since recovering from a severe Covid-19 infection.
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Andrey Zvyagintsev at Cannes film festival. Photograph: Hoda Davaine/EPAView image in fullscreenAndrey Zvyagintsev at Cannes film festival. Photograph: Hoda Davaine/EPACannes film festival‘Put an end to this war’: Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev makes new plea to PutinAfter winning the Grand Prix at Cannes film festival, the exiled auteur sent a direct message to the Russian president urging him to stop the warPhilip OltermannWed 27 May 2026 12.13 EDTLast modified on Wed 27 May 2026 12.15 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleAccoladed director Andrey Zvyagintsev has sent a direct message to Vladimir Putin urging him to start listening to the Russian people and end the “senseless” war in Ukraine, continuing a war of words between Russia’s most revered living film-maker and the Kremlin…
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