The Oscars, Hollywood’s glamorous night, unfolded with humor and emotion but largely avoided politics, only briefly mentioning the Ukraine-Russia conflict. First-time host Conan O’Brien cleverly referenced “Anora,” a film about a Brooklyn sex worker confronting her Moscow oligarch in-laws, and delivered a dig at the Trump administration, eliciting strong audience applause. “Anora” won five Oscars, including Best Picture. This lighthearted event contrasted with recent tensions during a White House meeting where Trump and VP JD Vance clashed with Ukraine’s Zelensky over U.S. military support, amid ongoing conflicts with Russia, which continues to control nearly a fifth of Ukraine.
The Oscars – Hollywood’s most anticipated event of the year – was, as always, a dazzling display of glamour, humor, and heartfelt performances. However, the over three-and-a-half hour broadcast on Sunday was mostly devoid of political commentary, including just a single reference to the Ukraine-Russia situation, even after a week filled with political discussions about the conflict.
During the ceremony, first-time host Conan O’Brien – who maintained a lighthearted tone throughout – took a subtle jab at the Donald Trump administration. Referencing the film “Anora” – a story about a Brooklyn sex worker confronting her Moscow oligarch in-laws – O’Brien quipped about the importance of standing up “to a powerful Russian.”
“Anora” emerged as the standout winner at the Oscars, claiming five awards, including the coveted best picture title.
“Anora is having a great night… That’s fantastic news… I guess Americans are eager to see someone finally confront a powerful Russian,” the comedian and actor remarked.
Conan O’Brien delivers a FLUENT jab at Trump without mentioning him: “I guess Americans are eager to see someone finally confront a powerful Russian.”
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE. ЁЯСПЁЯП╜ЁЯСПЁЯП╜ЁЯСПЁЯП╜ pic.twitter.com/TopTO7GPMp
тАФ BrooklynDad_Defiant!тШоя╕П (@mmpadellan) March 3, 2025
The joke received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
These clever comments followed a meeting between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, which devolved into an extraordinary on-camera dispute.
Trump and Vance raised their voices, accusing Zelensky of disrespect and ingratitude for U.S. military aid, as the Ukrainian leader pressed for U.S. security guarantees in any potential peace agreement.
Last month, Trump spoke with Putin and subsequently announced that negotiations to conclude the war would commence soon, surprising both the European Union and Zelensky.
Russia has openly reveled in the confrontation on Friday between Trump and Zelensky, commending Trump for shifting U.S. policy and criticizing Zelensky for opposing Trump’s proposals.
Conversely, European leaders have rallied behind Zelensky. The West and Ukraine characterize Russia’s 2022 invasion as an imperial-style land grab. Russian President Vladimir Putin frames the conflict as part of an existential struggle against a declining and morally corrupt West, which he claims humiliated Russia after the Berlin Wall’s fall in 1989 by expanding the NATO military alliance and encroaching on areas he views as Moscow’s domain, including Ukraine.
Currently, Russia occupies just under one-fifth of Ukraine, amounting to approximately 113,000 square kilometers, while Ukraine has retaken about 450 square kilometers of Russia during an incursion into the neighboring Kursk province, according to open source maps and Russian estimates.