Sean Penn Thinking Of 'Taking Up Arms Against Russia' After Ukraine Visit

Sean Penn's trip to Ukraine hasn't changed him, given that his penchant for both drama and danger has only increased. His meeting with President Zelenskyy and his on-foot march towards Poland for safety has only increased his ire against Russia as Penn mulls over going to Ukraine again.

And this time, he might just take up arms against the Russian attack.

Seems like a long time ago, but Penn had gone to Kyiv to make a documentary about the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and then the war truly broke out. Penn met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who announced the star's presence on the official Facebook page.

The official statement, translated, read, "American actor and film director, Oscar winner Sean Penn arrived in Ukraine. the director came to Kyiv specifically to record all the events taking place in Ukraine as a documentary filmmaker and to tell the world the truth about Russia's invasion of our country."

Later, Penn was all praise for Zelenskyy and attributed him for uniting Ukraine in its entirety. Said the "Dead Man Walking" star, "They are together like never before and, as I said, that’s the historical legacy of Zelenskyy, because he’s the man who did it. They’ll never be able to take it away from him that he unified the Ukrainians to fight for their country."

Speaking to Hollywood Authentic, Penn admitted he had been to Ukraine before as well, "I’ve been to Ukraine twice. I’ve been to Mariupol. I’ve spent time in Kyiv, in Lviv, everywhere in between." And he believes that it's Zelenskyy, who was not a very popular President before, who has brought the country together and this will remain his legacy.

Sean Penn doesn't just talk about Ukraine sitting in the comfort of his home, he actually wants to go back.

The Academy Award winner mentioned, "Look, my intention is to go back into Ukraine. But I’m not an idiot, I am not certain what I can offer. I don’t spend a lot of time texting the president or his staff while they’re under siege and their people are being murdered. I’d probably send one message through the chief of staff. ‘Here’s what I’m looking to do that I think would be of value. You only have to answer me in one of two ways: don’t come or come and do what you’re planning, or come, but here’s where you could be more helpful.’"

He then changed course in his interview, speaking about how a gas station stop had made him even angrier about the whole situation. Said the 61-year-old, "I was at the gas station in Brentwood the other day and I’m now thinking about taking up arms against Russia? What the f--- is going on?"

He continued, "The only possible reason for me staying in Ukraine longer last time would’ve been for me to be holding a rifle, probably without body armor, because as a foreigner, you would want to give that body armor to one of the civilian fighters who doesn’t have it or to a fighter with more skills than I have, or to a younger man or woman who could fight for longer or whatever. So, where I am in life is short of doing that, but if you’ve been in Ukraine [fighting] has to cross your mind. And you kind of think what century is this?"

Penn may not have taken up arms to fight against Ukraine, even if he wants to, but that does not mean he's doing nothing. He's the co-founder of CORE, (Community Organized Relief Effort), a non-profit organization along with CEO Ann Lee. It started in Haiti and operates in disaster and war zones, offering medical, food, and infrastructure aid/advice. Currently, CORE has a presence in Poland offering help and support to Ukrainian refugees.

Plenty of fans tweet in support of all that he does.