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Woody Allen<\/a> is defending his decision to appear at a Moscow film festival.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhen it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling,\u201d he told The Guardian in a statement published Monday.<\/a> \u201cBut, whatever politicians have done, I don\u2019t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Allen\u2019s apologia comes after Ukraine\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the director for helping \u201cwhitewash\u201d Russia\u2019s reputation by speaking during an event<\/a> hosted by Putin ally and filmmaker, Fyodor Bondarchuk. Allen did not attend the talk in person but appeared by video.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWoody Allen\u2019s participation in the Moscow international film week is a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and film-makers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals in their ongoing war against Ukraine,\u201d the ministry said in a social media post.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cBy taking part in a festival that brings together Putin\u2019s supporters and voices, Allen chooses to turn a blind eye to the atrocities Russia commits in Ukraine every single day for 11 years now,\u201d the statement continued.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cCulture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool,\u201d it went on. \u201cWe strongly condemn Woody Allen\u2019s decision to bless Moscow\u2019s bloody festival with his address.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to Russian media, the Oscar winner spoke of his love of Russian cinema during the event and said he has \u201conly good feelings for Moscow and St. Petersburg.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 20 Years Of<\/span>Free<\/span>Journalism<\/span><\/p>\n Your Support Fuels Our Mission<\/p>\n Your Support Fuels Our Mission<\/p>\n