Alain Delon wanted to publicly support the Ukrainian people and President Volodymyr Zelensky in an exclusive interview broadcast Friday, September 23 on TV5 Monde. This dialogue between the French actor and the Ukrainian head of state “pre-recorded a few days ago” remotely, between kyiv and Paris, came to conclude a program of the public channel presented by the journalist Cyril Viguier, around Volodymyr Zelensky.
What is happening in Ukraine has “deeply saddened” the French star who will celebrate his 87th birthday on November 8. “I suffer for you“, declared in front of Zelensky the actor, visibly revolted and very touched by the tragedy which this country lives since the Russian invasion in February.I would be 50 years younger, I would enlist in the Ukrainian army.“
Volodymyr Zelensky, who is a former actor, is an admirer of Alain Delon. The French actor also enjoys a strong reputation in Ukraine and is considered there as an ambassador of French culture.
“We often said we were brothers in arms, because we both started out as actors“, first launched Alain Delon, adding, tongue-in-cheek and as an aside: “He had a better end to his career than mine: he is president, I am nothing at all.” “I’ve never been such a great actor as you.” replied Volodymyr Zelensky. “We love you very much and for me you are always an authority and a huge player“.
The Ukrainian president has repeatedly insisted on the importance of this particular support and that of French society in general. “It’s the least I can do, because you don’t deserve everything you’re going through and everything that Ukraine and your people are going through.” said Alain Delon.
“You have done nothing to provoke this war. There are things that I do not understand and this war, I do not accept it. When I see these people dying, these children dying, these animals dying , it disgusts me.” But, the actor pointed out, “It is the dream of a single man and not that of a country or a nation”.
“He (Vladimir Putin, never mentioned by name, Editor’s note) thinks we’re part of his world“, noted Zelensky. “Maybe he longs for the return of the Soviet Union (…) and all those who prevent him on this path are cannon fodder. He knows full well how many people perish every day but it’s part of his plan. It is a colonialist approach.“
The two men ended their meeting with an invitation to come to kyiv, from President Zelensky to Alain Delon. “I will come, when I have less canes and I can walk normally, I will come. It’s not long because it deserves the trip and I’m not afraid.” “We will be waiting for you, it was a great honor to meet you“, concluded Volodymyr Zelensky.