"Is a symbol for us"

Alain Delon receives the Order of Merit of Ukraine

French actor Alain Delon receives an Order of Merit from Ukraine.(Bild: AFP)

French actor Alain Delon has been awarded the Order of Merit of Ukraine. He has "spoken out a lot in favor of Ukraine since the first day of the war", according to the country's embassy in Paris.

"He is a symbol for us, that is important." The actor has expressed his unreserved support, participated in an exchange with President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2022 and recited texts by the Ukrainian national poet Tara Shevchenko on television.

The Ukrainian ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, addressed the French film star directly on television. "Mr. Delon, dear Alain, I know that you are in a difficult situation and I want to tell you that you are not alone. You have many admirers and people who love you. I and my people are always by your side."

Several strokes
The 88-year-old actor is seriously ill after suffering several strokes. For months now, his three children have been engaged in a fierce dispute about where and how their father should be treated. Most recently, Delon's legal guardianship, which was previously mainly responsible for medical decisions, was extended to include his financial affairs.