New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has strongly condemned American filmmaker Woody Allen for participating in the Moscow International Film Week, calling his appearance "a disgrace and an insult" to Ukrainian actors and filmmakers affected by the ongoing war.

In a statement posted on social media, the MFA said: "By taking part in a festival that brings together Putin's supporters and voices, Allen chooses to turn a blind eye to the atrocities Russia commits in Ukraine every single day for 11 years now. Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool. We strongly condemn Woody Allen's decision to bless Moscow's bloody festival with his address."

The ministry emphasised that Allen...