Bono Says Ukraine 'Keeping Us Free' From Fascism

Published: Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 8:06 am

Bono at Cannes: Ukraine's Fight Against Fascism and a Call for Freedom

U2 frontman Bono used the Cannes Film Festival as a platform to champion Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression, drawing parallels to the festival's origins as a response to fascism. Speaking at the premiere of a documentary based on his autobiography, "Bono: Stories of Surrender," the singer declared that Ukraine is "keeping us free" from the threat of fascism, echoing the festival's founding purpose in 1939.

Bono highlighted the presence of Ukrainian soldiers at the premiere, brought by actor Sean Penn, a vocal supporter of Ukraine. He expressed gratitude for their efforts, concluding with the Ukrainian phrase "Slava Ukraini!" (Glory to Ukraine!).

The documentary, which streams on Apple TV+ from May 30th, delves into Bono's life, including the tragic loss of his mother during his childhood. It also celebrates his enduring relationship with his wife, Ali Hewson, whom he met at the age of 15, the same day U2 was formed. The film, directed by Andrew Dominik, features iconic U2 tracks and offers a glimpse into the singer's personal journey.

Beyond his support for Ukraine, Bono also criticized former US President Donald Trump's dismantling of USAID, arguing it jeopardized progress in combating AIDS and HIV.

BNN's Perspective: Bono's passionate advocacy for Ukraine, while perhaps overly dramatic in its framing, highlights the importance of supporting democratic values and standing against aggression. His use of the Cannes platform to raise awareness is commendable, even if his rhetoric might be seen as overly simplistic by some. His criticism of the dismantling of USAID is also a valid point, as such actions can have detrimental effects on global health initiatives.

Keywords: Bono, U2, Cannes Film Festival, Ukraine, Fascism, Sean Penn, Donald Trump, USAID,

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