As Oles Sanin, a distinguished Ukrainian film director, recipient of the Oleksandr Dovzhenko State Prize of Ukraine and Honored Artist of Ukraine, I strongly urge the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to revoke the nomination of Russian actor Yuri Borisov for an Academy Award.

The Ukrainian people are enduring a brutal military aggression perpetrated by the Russian Federation. This war, unleashed by russia, has resulted in thousands of innocent victims, devastated cities, millions of refugees, and a profound humanitarian catastrophe.  International organizations have recognized Russia as the aggressor, and numerous nations worldwide have condemned its actions.

While Ukraine bleeds and Russian forces continue to devastate our land, the global film community is considering honoring a Russian actor with one of the world's most prestigious awards. Yuri Borisov, a citizen of an aggressor nation, has been nominated for an Oscar, which, under the current circumstances, is not only morally unacceptable but also an endorsement of the aggressor nation's culture on the world stage.

The nomination of Yuri Borisov for an Oscar at this moment is perceived as:

*   Legitimization of russian aggression in the eyes of the global community.
*   Encouragement of impunity for war crimes.
*   Ignoring the profound suffering of the Ukrainian people.
*   Undermining the very values of peace, humanism, and international law that should form the bedrock of any prestigious international award.

Sincerely,

Oles Sanin
Distinguished Ukrainian Film Director