Pictures of Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher having dinner with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife have resurfaced as the Hollywood couple’s appeal raised more than $18m (£13.7m) for Ukraine.
The Hollywood couple launched a GoFundMe fundraiser in hopes of raising $30m to support Ukrainian citizens following the Russian invasion.
Proud Ukrainian Kunis, who was born in Chernivtsi in Ukraine, said there is “no place in this world for this kind of unjust attack on humanity” in a video appeal posted online.
“I have always considered myself an American, a proud American. I love everything this country has done for myself and my family,” the 38-year-old said.
“But today I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian. The events that have unfolded in Ukraine are devastating. There is no place in this world for this kind of unjust attack on humanity.”
Actor Kutcher said: “While we witness the bravery of the people in the country she was born in, we’re also witness to the needs of those who have chosen safety.”
The Two And A Half Men star added “logistics” was the principal challenge.
Amid their appeal, pictures have resurfaced on social media showing the Hollywood power couple at a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky and his wife Olena in 2019.
Olena shared pictures on her Instagram page of the four deep in conversation while having a meal together.
The president also spoke about the meeting saying they had a “fruitful” conversation.
At the time, he said: “Today I met with Ukrainian-born Mila Kunis and actor and producer Ashton Kutcher. We had a very fruitful conversation about cinema, in particular about the development of the Ukrainian film industry, as well as ways to attract investment in it."
Kunis and Kutcher have said they will match donations made to rental company AirBnB and freight transporter Flexport for up to 3,000,000 dollars (£2,250,000).
Kunis added: “The people of Ukraine are strong and brave but being strong and brave doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of support. We need to support the people of Ukraine.”
The pair urged people to donate to humanitarian charity US For UNHCR to help the thousands of citizens displaced by the conflict.
