Kristen Stewart Gives Vladimir Putin the Finger at Spirit Awards

Kristen Stewart joined other celebrities and took a stand last night against Russia's invasion of Ukraine by giving Vladimir Putin the finger.

The 31-year-old actress and filmmaker used her presenter's speech at Sunday's 2022 Independent Spirit Awards to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and call out the Russian president for his aggressive actions in the region. She earlier had joined the ceremony's co-hosts, celebrity couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, in giving the former-KGB-agent-turned-politician Putin the finger.

"Today we are compelled to stand with the people of Ukraine," Stewart said before presenting the award for Best Male Lead to Simon Rex for his performance in Red Rocket. "They are risking their lives to fight for those very things. We stand for the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing this war, both Ukrainians and those of other nationalities being denied safe harbor."

Earlier in the evening, Offerman and Mullally had condemned Putin verbally and visually.

"Before we keep going, we'd like to take a minute to extend our best wishes to those affected by the war in Ukraine, and all unjust conflict around the world," Offerman said.

"I think we speak for everyone here when we say we are hoping for a quick and peaceful resolution," added Mullally. "Specifically, f*ck off and go home, Putin."

"Yes, that is the quick and peaceful resolution we're talking about," Offerman continued. "That Vladimir Putin f*cks off and goes home. And to that end, let's all join together and send him off with a Spirit Awards salute. To Putin!"

Stewart was one of many in the audience seen giving Putin the middle finger in response, and this was not the first time she has used her visibility to take a stand on important issues. She had little patience for critics of the MCU's first gay superhero Phastos portrayed by Atlanta's star Brian Tyree Henry.

Earlier this month, Stewart received a nomination in the Best Actress category for her performance as Princess Diana in Pablo Larrain's Spencer, this despite being earlier snubbed at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Last year, the actress revealed she was officially engaged to screenwriter Dylan Meyer after two years of dating.

"We're marrying, we're totally gonna do it," Stewart told Stern on his SiriusXM show. "I wanted to be proposed to, so I think I very distinctly carved out what I wanted and she nailed it. We're marrying, it's happening."

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