Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praises Jessica Chastain for her support amid Kyiv visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised Hollywood actress Jessica Chastain for her support after she visited Kyiv on Sunday.

The Academy Award winner had a private meeting with Mr Zelensky and Andriy Yermak, the head of the office of the president.

Zelensky, 44, went on to share a message of gratitude to Chastain, 45, and other Hollywood stars that have visited Ukraine amidst the crisis.

In the statement, shared on Telegram, Mr Zelensky said: “‘American actress Jessica Chastain is in Ukraine today. For us, such visits of famous people are extremely valuable.

“Thanks to this, the world will hear, know and understand the truth about what is happening in our country even more.”

The actress also visited a children’s hospital, Okhmatdyt, whilst in Ukraine’s capital.

She later travelled to the city of Irpin.

Ukraine has previously thanked other A-list actors Angelina Jolie, Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, and Liev Schreiber for visiting the country to bring attention to the reality of the war.

Penn, 61, has been creating a documentary based on Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. He also put on a benefit concert which raised £2 million for the victims of war.

Meanwhile, Schreiber has been verifying grassroots organisations that are helping the war-torn country.

The Ministry of Defence for Ukraine tweeted that the country is “grateful to Hollywood stars who, despite the danger, have visited us.”

Hollywood power couple Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have also previously met Mr Zelensky, and his wife Olena.

Kunis, of Ukrainian heritage, created a GoFundMe with her husband which raised over £13.7m, the Evening Standard previously reported.