Actor Ben Stiller met with Ukrainian President Zelensky for World Refugee Day on behalf of the United Nations Refugee Agency. A goodwill ambassador for the group, Stiller praised the former comedian turned president for his leadership in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.
It was an honour to meet President @ZelenskyyUa on #WorldRefugeeDay as part of my visit with UNHCR @Refugees to stand in solidarity with people forced to flee in Ukraine and worldwide, and bring more attention to the humanitarian situation. @Refugees #WithRefugees pic.twitter.com/zpNpva233j
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) June 20, 2022
“It’s a great honor for me,” he told Zelensky. “It’s really wonderful, you’re my hero. You’re amazing.”
Zelensky returned Stiller’s praise, saying “We know you very well.”
Stiller was appointed goodwill ambassador for the UNCHR in 2018, and since then he has conducted visits to refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Germany. On their website, the UN says Stiller has “supported multiple projects and campaigns to advocate for the rights of refugees and helped to elevate their voices in media and social media.”
The “Zoolander” actor visited Ukraine on the heels of millions of Ukrainians being forced to flee their war-torn country after being invaded by Russia.
Stiller spoke with Zelensky on the current needs of the Ukrainian people, as well as their shared acting careers.
“You quit a great acting career for this,” said Stiller, to which Zelensky replied, “Not so great as you.”
Stiller didn’t allow all the praise to go to his head, sidestepping Zelensky’s praise to say, “What you’ve done and the way that you’ve rallied the country and for the world, it’s really inspiring.”
